A former Eton College master has denied murdering his 84-year-old mother in a posh market town.

Matthew Corry, 45, appeared via videolink to plead not guilty to allegations in relation to the killing of Beatrice Corry.

Police were called to High Street in Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds at around 12.30am on January 6 this year after Beatrice was found with head injuries.

She later died from her wounds.

Corry formally submitted his not guilty plea to one charge of murder at Bristol Crown Court during a short hearing this morning. (Wed)

Prosecutors said they were now waiting for further psychiatric reports before the crown decided how to proceed with the case.

The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of his next appearance, which was listed for 7 June this year.

A provisional trial date has been set for 3 July at Bristol Crown Court.

Corry had been living with his mother in her apartment within a converted grammar school at the time of her death.

The victim had also previously lived in an apartment The Styles in Berkshire that was a former home of crime writer Agatha Christie.

Mrs Corry, a retired teacher and volunteer, was part of the University of the Third Age and was an award winning volunteer at the Campden Home Nursing charity shop.

Paying tribute at the time of her death, CEO Helen Makaritis said: "Beatrice was an incredible lady, she had so much energy and would regularly have completed a 5 mile walk before her shift in the shop.

"Described as a 'force of nature' by the shop team, she was always positive and never afraid to voice her opinion, a very intelligent lady who was knowledgeable about so many things. Never without a scarf or a twinkle in her eye, she was loved by us all.

“We are lucky to have many funny anecdotes and stories in our memory banks and she will be remembered with great affection. We send our heartfelt condolences to her family, especially her grandchildren, of whom she talked of often and with immense pride.”

Corry worked at Eton until 2008 and had been teaching biology at fee-paying Godolphin and Latymer, in West London, until April 2020.