A man charged with the murder of a Norwich mother of two has refused to appear for a court hearing.

Kerri McAuley, 32, was found dead at a property in Southalls Way on Sunday, January 8.

An initial Home Office post mortem examination was inconclusive. However there was evidence that Ms McAuley was subjected to a severe blunt force assault.

Joe Storey, 26, of Murrells Court, St John Street, Norwich, who is believed to be Ms McAuley's former partner, was due to appear at Norwich Crown Court today via video link after being charged with her murder.

But the court heard Storey, who had been expecting to appear in person, did not want to appear on a video link and so was not present.

Judge Anthony Bate, who himself appeared via video link from the Old Bailey in London, adjourned the case for a further case management hearing at Norwich Crown Court on April 19 when Storey will appear in person.