A Chester man accused of manslaughter is due to appear at Chester Crown Court next week.

Peter Scargill previously appeared at Warrington Magistrates Court on Thursday 4 December, charged with manslaughter, stalking involving serious alarm and distress and blackmail.

The case comes after 38-year-old Jennifer Smith was found dead at an address in Birch Grove, Ellesmere Port, on 1 June 2023.

During the hearing earlier this month, Scargill, of Cherry Road in Chester, was released on conditional bail.

The 48-year-old is next was initially set to appear at Chester Crown Court on Friday 2 January, but the date has been moved to Monday 5 January 2026.