Published at 11:12, Thursday, 16 February 2012

A MAN has appeared at Carlisle Crown Court accused of murder.

Terrence Michael Armer, 61, was arrested after 35-year-old Stacey Mackie suffered 95 per cent burns in an alleged arson attack on her flat in Crag View, Kendal, just after midnight on Friday, January 27.

The flat was one of a complex run by the Home Group to provide sheltered accommodation for vulnerable adults.

Ms Mackie, who grew up in Haverigg, near Millom, was taken to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and later transferred to Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, where she died a few hours later.

Mr Armer, of Buttery Well Road, Kendal, faces two charges – murdering Ms Mackie and committing arson with the intent to endanger the lives of Matthew Canning, Scott Brow, Lisa Crow, Ian Raw and Marcus Shaw, who all also lived at the flats.

Monday’s hearing before Cumbria’s senior judge, Paul Batty QC, was purely for administrative purposes and lasted four minutes.

The defendant was not asked to enter pleas to the charges.

He is expected to do that next time he appears in court, for a plea and case management hearing on April 2.

He made no application for bail and was remanded in custody until then.

If he pleads not guilty, he will go on trial before visiting High Court judge Mr Justice Irwin on June 13.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk