A MAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of his 64-year-old partner in Keswick.

Patrick Webster, 62, is accused of murdering Katrina Fletcher who was found with serious head injuries at her home in St Kentigern Place on September 11.

Wearing a white shirt, Webster spoke only to confirm his identity when he appeared by videolink at Preston Crown Court.

He has not entered any plea to the charges.

Ms Fletcher - known to friends and family as Trina - died in Cumberland Infirmary two weeks after she was injured.

Webster was originally charged with causing grievous bodily harm but was charged with murder following her death.

Ms Fletcher’s family paid tribute to “a loving sister, sister-in-law, auntie and friend to many in her hometown of Keswick”.

A trial date has been set for March 2, 2020 and Webster will return to court on December 9 to enter his plea.