A FINANCIAL adviser accused of murdering a pensioner in Cheshire was due to appear at crown court today.

Peter John Crittenden, aged 64, of Beech Avenue, Barbourne, has been charged with killing 71-year-old Joan Beddeson at her Macclesfield home in December last year. He was due to appear at Chester Crown Court this morning.

Crittenden denied smothering the pensioner with a pillow at her home in Rayleigh Close when he appeared before Macclesfield Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, June 17.

He also denied stealing a total of £279,000 from the pensioner between March and December 2001.

Miss Beddeson, who neighbours said kept herself to herself, was found dead at her detached bungalow on Monday, Decemb