The north's most senior judge will preside over the case of a man charged with murdering his former partner in her Carlisle home.

Miklos Verebes, 29, who is also charged with raping the same alleged victim, 33-year-old pizza shop worker Melinda Korosi, appeared via a video link before Judge Peter Davies at the city's crown court.

The mum-of-two was found critically injured at her home in Orton Road, off Wigton Road, last Thursday morning.

Despite efforts to save her, she died a short time later.

The accused, wearing a pale blue, open-necked shirt, spoke only to confirm his idenity, addressing the court clerk in a clear, calm voice when she asked him if he was Miklos Verebes.

He replied: “Yes I am.”

Throughout the hearing, he was supported by a Hungarian interpreter who translated the discussions in court.

Over the next 20 minutes, prosecutor Richard English and defence lawyer Paul Tweddle discussed how the case will be deal with in the coming weeks and agreed that Verebes should not yet have to enter his pleas.

Judge Peter Davies agreed that the defendant should be asked to plead to the four charges he faces – one of murdering Miss Korosi on September 15 and three historic charges of raping her – on November 25.

The rape offences are alleged to have happened on dates between October 2012 and July of this year.

“He will be asked to plead guilty or not guilty at a hearing before Mr Justice [William] Davis... He is the presiding judge of this circuit,” said Judge Davies.

Mr Tweddle confirmed that Verebes, who is currently of no fixed abode but formerly of Orton Road, will be represented during his next court hearing by Peter Wright QC.

The prosecutor will be Paul Reid QC.

Should the case be a trial, that is likely to begin on February 27 next year and last for an estimated two weeks.

Police formally charged the defendant on Sunday morning.

The allegations came after police were called out to Miss Korosi's home in Orton Road, Carlisle, just after 6am last Thursday.

They found her inside her end-terraced house, critically ill.

The nature of her injuries have not yet been revealed. Police last week faced the difficult task of tracing Miss Korosi's parents and breaking the news of the tragedy to them.

Described as “pleasant and polite” by her neighbours in Orton Road, Miss Korosi, who worked at the Domino's pizza outlet in London Road, Carlisle, had lived in Orton Road for about a year.

Verebes was remanded in custody and spoke from the prison where he is currently being held. The judge ruled that he must appear in person for his next court appearance in November.