A WOMAN accused of killing her mum has this morning denied her murder.

Jessica Crane appeared in person at court one in Worcester Crown Court shortly after 10am where she was formally arraigned after several delays to the plea and trial preparation hearing.

She is accused of killing 69-year-old Janet Mason in Green Lane, off Rainbow Hill on March 9 this year.

The 49-year-old of Hillside Close, Worcester, had the charge put to her by the clerk and denied murder in a case heard by Judge James Burbidge QC, the Honorary Recorder of Worcester.

Wearing a white t-shirt and a black cardigan, she appeared in the dock with five other people, including dock officers. The defendant was asked to stand before the clerk asked her: "Are you Jessica Crane?"

She replied: "I am, yes."

"You are charged on this indictment with one count of murder" the clerk told her before asking Crane whether she pleaded guilty or not guilty. "Not guilty" she replied.

Family wanted paedophile jailed

The case was prosecuted by Richard Atkins QC. Nick Berry appeared for the defence, standing by his client near the dock as she was arraigned.

Mr Atkins said: "I don't think there's any issue she stabbed her mother. The issue will be what led that to happen."

Crane must submit a defence statement by October 8 this year.

Crane was previously not able to enter her plea because no remote live link could be established to the secure hospital where she is being kept.

Spice smuggler jailed

We reported in March how Crane appeared over videolink at the court from HMP Eastwood Park accused of the fatal stabbing of 69-year-old Janet Mason.

A mum's pain over paedophile doctoring photo

On the last occasion the defendant appeared on a screen in court three, wearing a Covid mask and spoke only to confirm her name and that she could hear clearly.

Mr Berry said on the last occasion: “We wish to explore the mental health of Miss Crane by the commissioning of a psychiatric report.”

Enquiries have already been made with Dinesh Maganty, a consultant forensic psychiatrist who was due to see the defendant on April 29 this year.

Judge Burbidge, who previously described the case as an ‘internal family issue’, asked for a summary of the issues in the case and added: “There is no contest that it was your client who caused the death?”

Mr Berry answered ‘no’.

A trial date of January 31 next year had previously been set. Any trial is expected to last two weeks.

Crane was remanded in custody in the meantime.