This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/crawley-death-flat-man-charged-murder-christina-abbotts-zahid-naseem-brighton-a8372441.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Man charged with murder after woman found bludgeoned to death at Crawley flat Man charged with murder after woman found bludgeoned to death at Crawley flat
(about 4 hours later)
A man has been charged with the murder of a woman who was found bludgeoned to death in her bed. The family of a woman found bludgeoned to death in bed have said the "light in our life" is now "extinguished".
Friends alerted Sussex police after they became concerned about 29 year old Christina Abbots,when she failed to turn up to her own birthday party. Christina Abbotts, 29, was found by police at the flat where she was living in Crawley after friends raised the alarm when she failed to turn up to her own birthday party on Friday.
Officers later found her bludgeoned body at the flat where she was living in Crawley. Zahid Naseem, 47, appeared at Brighton Magistrates Court on Monday morning charged with her murder.
Zahid Naseem, 47, from Amershan suffered minor injuries as he was arrested at the property. In a tribute released by Sussex Police, Ms Abbotts’ family described her as "sweet" and "loving".
He has been detained in custody and will appear at Brighton Magistrates Court on Monday charged with her murder They said: "Christina, our sweet loving daughter and best friend, educated at Cirencester and Oxford, will be sorely missed.
A post-mortem found the preliminary cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, a Sussex Police spokesman said. “This independent lady, a much-travelled person, was taken from us far too early. Her friends in London and parts of the UK will also be grieving.
"We are supporting Christina's family, who aren't local to Crawley, at this very distressing time," said Detective Chief Inspector Emma Heater. "They have asked for privacy while they start to grieve.” "The light in our life is now extinguished."
Witnesses previously told how police arrived in large numbers in the street shortly after 10.30pm on Friday. Neighbours in the Gossops Green area of the town told how police arrived in numbers shortly after 10.30pm on Friday.
Naseem – who knew Ms Abbotts – was arrested at the flat suffering minor injuries.
Appearing before magistrates, he spoke only to confirm his name, age and address. He wore a grey tracksuit, reports PA.
Maria Slater, prosecuting, asked for the case to be sent straight to a crown court because the nature of the allegation was so serious.
Naseem, of Elm Close, Amersham, nodded as he was told he would be remanded in custody to appear at Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday.
Detective Chief Inspector Emma Heater said: "We are supporting Christina's family and they have asked for privacy at this time.