Husband charged with postmistress murder

Robin Garbutt, 44, was arrested on Wednesday by North Yorkshire Police following the death of his 40-year-old wife, Diana, last month.

Her body was found in the upstairs living quarters of Melsonby Post Office, North Yorkshire, after claims that there had been an armed robbery.

Garbutt will appear at Northallerton Magistrates' Court tomorrow morning, a police spokesman said.

Mrs Garbutt was found dead upstairs at The Village Shop and Post Office just after 8.30am on March 23.

She had suffered severe head injuries.

Police launched a murder investigation and issued a description of a robber they said "broke into the post office and stole a substantial amount of cash".

The store had been run by the Garbutts for around seven years. Villagers said the couple moved to Melsonby from the York area and had been married for about the same time. They do not have children.

Mrs Garbutt is thought to have had a military background.

Following her daughter's death, Mrs Garbutt's mother, Agnes Gaylor, made an emotional appeal for information.

She said the last few years in Melsonby had been the happiest of her daughter's life.

"She was content, she loved her life," she said.

A police spokesman said today: "North Yorkshire Police have today charged a 44-year-old man with the murder of Diana Garbutt.

"He is due to appear at Northallerton Magistrates' Court on Saturday."