A MAN has appeared at court charged with murdering a woman at a Bournemouth flat.

James Augustus John D'Arcy is accused of murdering Hayley Dean, 38, at Gainslea Court in Derby Road on the evening of Friday, September 16.

The defendant, 50, appeared before district judge Stephen Nicholls at Bournemouth Magistrates' Court yesterday morning.

D'Arcy, of Derby Road, Bournemouth, spoke to confirm his name and age and has not yet entered a plea to the charge against him.

Ms Dean was pronounced dead at the Derby Road flat on Friday evening.

She had suffered a serious head injury.

Her next of kin have been informed.

D'Arcy will appear at Winchester Crown Court for a hearing today.