Egyptian hockey star charged with murdering his wife to stand trial

An Egyptian hockey star charged with murdering his wife at their £250,000 home is set to stand trial later this year.

Mohamed Samak, 42, who is charged with killing Joanne Samak, 49, was not required to attend a brief hearing at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday.

Mrs Samak a senior stylist with an interior design firm, was discovered with serious injuries at the couple's the £250,000 property in Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, at 4.10am on July 1.

Despite the efforts of paramedics, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Samak, who is being held at HMP Hewell, was remanded in custody until a plea hearing at Worcester Crown Court on August 2, pending a two-week trial due to start at the same court on November 4.