Second person charged with murder in connection with death of man in Easterton

A second person has been charged with the murder of a man.

Raymond Groves, 48, died on Tuesday at an address in Easterton, near Devizes.

Previously, his former partner, 53-year-old Helen Shakespeare, appeared before Swindon Magistrates Court on Saturday and was charged with murder.

Anthony Hodges-Hillier, 33, of Brooklands, Royal Wootton Bassett, has been charged with murder and conspiracy to murder. He is due to appear at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Another person, 29-year-old Letishia Goodwin of Strawberry Fields, Easterton, was also charged with conspiracy to murder.

In court, Mrs Shakespeare, of Strawberry Fields, Easterton, confirmed only her name, address and date of birth during the brief hearing on Saturday.

Prosecutor Kate Prince told the court: “The prosecution allege that she stabbed her ex-partner at her home address, resulting in his death.”

Presiding Judge Amanda Lee said the case would be referred to Winchester Crown Court and Ms Shakespeare would appear in court again on Tuesday, July 9.

Wiltshire Police said no official identification had been made but the deceased was believed to be Mr Groves, of Hartcliffe, Bristol.

Shortly after 20:00 BST on Tuesday, police were called to an address in Strawberry Fields, Easterton, near Devizes, Wiltshire, following reports that a man had been stabbed.

In connection with the incident, police are also questioning a man in his thirties on suspicion of murder.

A woman in her twenties was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and also on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder, police said.

Police said the investigation was “still ongoing.”