Herefordshire murder charge: what we know about alleged killing

It was last Thursday when police went to Moreton Eye, a quiet village north of Leominster, after officers said a car had crashed into a telegraph pole.

Here's what we know so far about the alleged killing

What happened last Thursday?

At around 3pm on January 6, police said they had launched a murder investigation.

It was when officers were investigating a car crash in Eye Lane, which connects the A49 at Ashton to Luston, that they found a body in a house nearby.

Police in Eye Lane, Moreton, on Thursday evening

A man at the scene of the crash, which happened at around 8am, was treated for minor injuries, but paramedics discharged him at the scene, West Midlands Ambulance Service said.

Ambulances also attended the address, believed to be a house in the village, where they confirmed a 78-year-old had died.

What has West Mercia Police said?

The police have only released two short statements, the first to confirm an investigation had been launched and a second to say a man had been charged.

At around 3pm on Thursday, police said: "Today a murder investigation was launched after a woman was found dead at a property in Herefordshire. 

At around 8am this morning (Thursday, January 6), we received a report of a collision whereby a car crashed into a telegraph pole on Eye Lane, Luston in Herefordshire.

Officers responded and, following enquiries, attended an address in Moreton Eye, Herefordshire with colleagues from West Midlands Ambulance Service.

"Sadly, a 78-year-old woman was found dead at the address. The death is being investigated as a murder and a 48-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.  

"Our officers remain at the scene whilst enquiries are ongoing."

A police officer in Moreton Eye, but not at the scene of the alleged murder

Police were still at the scene more than 24 hours later when a spokesperson said at 6pm on Friday: "We can confirm that today, Ben Armstrong, aged 48, from Dyfed, Wales, has been charged with murder and assaulting an emergency worker.

"He has been charged in relation to the murder of a 78-year-old woman that occurred on Thursday 6 January in Moreton Eye, Herefordshire.

"The area is still cordoned off whilst our enquiries are ongoing."

What did West Midlands Ambulance Service say?

Paramedics were at the scene of the crash, as well as at the address where the woman's body was found.

Police remained at the scene for more than 24 hours after the discovery

On Thursday afternoon, a spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We responded to a road traffic accident on Eye Lane, Moreton Eye, near Leominster, at 8.34am this morning.

"Two ambulances attended and assessed one man who had sustained minor injuries and he was discharged on scene.

"Whilst at the scene, police requested our attendance at an address in Moreton and an ambulance and paramedic officer attended.

"Sadly, ambulance crews confirmed the death of a woman at the address."

Has Ben Armstrong appeared at court?

There have been two court hearings since Benjamin Armstrong, 48, was charged with murdering Judith Armstrong, 78, and assaulting an emergency worker.

He first appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates Court on Saturday and was told he would next appear at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday.

At that hearing, Judge James Burbidge remanded Armstrong, of Login, near Whitland in Carmarthenshire, in custody.

A plea and trial preparation hearing is set to take place on February 28, the judge told Sharon Bahia, prosecuting, and Mark Thompson, defending, during the 15-minute hearing.

What is the village like?

Moreton is a small village with only a handful of homes.

It is between Ashton, near Berrington Hall, on the A49 north of Leominster, and the larger village of Luston.

The village of Moreton is quiet, a few miles north of Leominster just off the A44. Picture: Rob Davies

It was obviously very quiet on the lane on Thursday evening, and from the road closure points you could see lights in the distance.

That was believed to be where the car crashed into the telegraph pole, leading to police finding the woman’s body in a house nearby.