Husband denies murder of Yorkshire postmistress Diana Garbutt

THE husband of a postmistress who was found dead at her village store in North Yorkshire appeared in court today to deny her murder.

Diana Garbutt, 40, was found dead in the upstairs living quarters of Melsonby Post Office, North Yorkshire, on March 23.

A post-mortem examination revealed she had suffered serious head injuries.

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Robin Garbutt, 44, appeared before the Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Peter Fox, at Teesside Crown Court for a hearing which lasted only a couple of minutes.

Wearing a blue, short-sleeved shirt, he confirmed his name and said "not guilty" in a clear voice when the charge was put to him.

Well-wishers in the public gallery wept during the hearing, while others hugged each other for comfort.

A trial lasting three weeks is due to start on October 4.

The judge remanded Garbutt in custody until then.