Woman sobs in court as she is charged with murder of 90-year-old on the Wirral

A woman has been charged in court with the murder of a 90-year-old former physicist.

Myra Thompson was found dead by ambulance crews in her home in Spital, Wirral, on 23 April.

Jane Hill, 51, was charged with murder and the theft of £60, alleged to have been taken from Ms Thompson on 12 April.

Hill, of Norwich Drive in Upton, Wirral, spoke through tears while clutching tissues to confirm her name, date of birth and address at Liverpool Magistrates' Court. She was wearing a grey jumper with her hair tied back.

District Judge Timothy Boswell remanded Hill in custody to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on 30 April 2024.

Three of her family members were in court for the hearing, which lasted four minutes.

A 48-year-old man from Wirral who was also arrested has been released with no further action in relation to the murder, but remains under investigation for theft, police said.

Officers were called to Ms Thompson’s home in Bolde Way just after 11.20am on Tuesday after a report from North West Ambulance Service.

The pensioner was died at the scene.

Myra was a senior physicist at Clatterbridge Hospital before she retired, neighbours said she "always had a smile on her face, no matter what".

Earlier this week, the force said it had voluntarily referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as officers had been investigating a recent allegation of theft.

Anyone who has any information is asked to contact @MerPolCC on X (Twitter) @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ quoting the reference number 24000365898.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.