Cleveland Police stated last Thursday (May 17) that they had “arrested a 37-year-old…on suspicion of murder following the death of 34-year-old Jessica Patel on Monday, May 14”.

Ms Patel worked as a pharmacist at Roman Road Pharmacy in Middlesbrough.

Teesside Magistrates Court confirmed to C+D that her husband Mitesh Patel, who runs the pharmacy, appeared at the court for a preliminary hearing on Saturday (May 19) charged with Ms Patel’s murder.

Teesside Crown Court told C+D that Mr Patel will appear for a plea and trial preparation hearing tomorrow (May 22), where he “may or may not enter a plea and the court will then give directions as to how the case should proceed”.

Detective superintendent Tariq Ali said: “We know that Jessica was a well-liked and well-respected member of the local community, and that a lot of people knew her from working at the pharmacy.”