By Staff Reporter

Last updated at 13:14, Monday, 28 January 2013

A man appeared at Carlisle Crown Court today accused of causing the death of a woman whose body was found in a lane near Kirkby Stephen last February.

John Trevor Dent, 49, was charged after his partner, 49-year-old grandmother Rose-Marie Valente, was found dead at Brough on February 27.

Ms Valente, from Bingley, West Yorks, is understood to have spent the weekend with Dent, with whom she had been in a relationship for about ten years.

Her body was found early on the morning of February 27 after Dent reported that he had discovered her lying in the road.

He was later charged with causing her death by driving on the lane near his home in Swindale Grange, Brough, without due care and attention while he was over the legal drink-driving limit.

Dent pleaded not guilty to that charge.

He was remanded on bail until his trial.

A pre-trial review, at which further administrative arrangements including a date for the trial will be decided, will be held on March 4.

First published at 13:13, Monday, 28 January 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk