A MAN has appeared in court charged with the manslaughter of Bournemouth woman Julie Cook.

Daniel Bragg appeared before Bournemouth Magistrates' Court, earlier this morning, and spoke only to confirm his name and address.

Bragg, aged 36, of no fixed abode, was remanded in custody.

He made no application for bail and will next appear at Winchester Crown Court on Monday (May 9) at 10am.

Staff at Poole Hospital notified Dorset Police after Ms Cook was found with head injuries at Clarence Park Road, Pokesdown, Bournemouth, on Monday (May 2) evening.

Ms Cook, aged 44, died in hospital of her injuries two days later.

A post mortem examination confirmed the cause of death as head injury.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Neil Phillips said: "Following a fast-moving and through investigation, we have consulted with the Crown Prosecution Service, who authorised the charge of manslaughter.

"Family liason officers have updated the victim's family with the development and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

"Detectives continue to work on this investigation and I would appeal to any witnesses who are yet to speak with police to contact us urgently.

"As part of my investigation, I am trying to establish Julie's movements in the hours before she was found seriously injured.

"We know that she was on the London Waterloo to Weymouth train on the afternoon of Monday, May 2.

"She left the train with a man at 3.37pm at Pokesdown Railway Station and the pair arrived at an address in Clarence Park Road some time between 4pm and 4.30pm.

"I have released these details in the hope that someone may have seen Julie and a man travelling on the train, getting off at Pokesdown station or walking towards Clarence Park Road."

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting Operation Oxbow.