A MAN from Norton Fitzwarren accused of murdering his mother has appeared in court this morning.

Alex McDonald, 27, of Hilly Park, who is accused of killing his mother Catherine, did not enter a plea at the hearing at Exeter Crown Court. 

He has been remanded in custody and is next due to appear in court in January.

Mrs McDonald, 57, was found dead on September 30 after police officers broke down her door following a call from her employer who was worried because she had not turned up for work.

A post-mortem showed she died as a result of stabbing and asphyxiation.