A York man has appeared in court charged with murdering a woman who died 21 years after allegedly being set on fire.
Steven Paul Craig, 57, appeared before Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Friday accused of murdering Jacqueline Kirk.
Ms Kirk was aged 62 when she died in August 2019, 21 years after an incident in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.
She suffered serious burns after being allegedly set on fire in Dolphin Square on 18 April in 1998.
Avon and Somerset Police said detectives from the force’s major crime investigation team charged Craig on Thursday night.
A spokesman said: “The charge was authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service South West’s complex casework unit.
“Jacqueline was 62-years-old when she died in August 2019, 21 years after being set on fire in Weston-super-Mare.”
Craig, of Brailsford Road, York, is charged with murdering Ms Kirk between that date and August 23 in 2019.
He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address during the short hearing on Friday afternoon.
May Li appeared for the prosecution, while Kevin Blount represented Craig.
The defendant, who was remanded into custody, will next appear before Bristol Crown Court on Monday.