TWO people charged with murder after a man was found dead at his Oxfordshire home five years ago have been given a date for their trial.

Lynda Rickard, 60, and Wayne Rickard, 64, both of Edinburgh Close, Banbury, are each charged with murder.

Lynda Rickard is also charged with manslaughter, four counts of fraud by false representation and one count of fraud by abuse of position.

Wayne Rickard is charged with one count of causing/allowing the death of a vulnerable adult, one count of fraud by false representation, and one count of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

They were charged after an 'extensive' Thames Valley Police investigation with the force's Major Crime Unit and following the death of James Sootheran, 59, known by his middle name, Anthony.

Mr Sootheran was found dead at his home in South Newington, Oxfordshire, on March 18, 2014.

The post mortem found that Mr Sootheran died from pneumonia, which was caused by malnourishment.

After appearing before magistrates for their first court appearance on Tuesday the pair were presented for the first time at Oxford Crown Court today.

While no pleas were entered at the brief hearing a provisional trial date was set to commence at the same court on January 6 next year.

That trial is expected to last 10 weeks and the pair were released on bail in the meantime.

  • Meanwhile, the court also heard that four others are set to appear at Oxford Magistrates' Court on Tuesday in connection with the case.

While they are not charged with murder they all face counts of fraud.

The accused are: June Alsford, 76, of Aynho, Northamptonshire, Michael Dunkley, 47, of Brickle Lane, Bloxham, Denise Neal, 39, of Radway Road, Lower Tysoe, and Shanda Robinson, 49, of Sage Close, Banbury.