THE woman accused of murdering 62-year-old Michael Redpath is being held in a secure psychiatric hospital, Bristol Crown Court heard today.

Patricia Hindle, 29, of Crombey Street, is accused of murdering Mr Redpath, who died following a blaze at his home in Albion Street on September 10, 2014.

Yesterday, lawyers confirmed that Hindle, who was initially arrested and held in custody at HMP Eastbrook, had been transferred to a psychiatric hospital under the mental health act.

Although she was not expected to appear in court today, she was represented by her counsel, Robert Ross.

During the preliminary case management hearing, it was confirmed that Hindle has been transferred to a psychiatric hospital and that various assessments and reports must be completed before proceedings can progress any further.

The delay meant that new dates had to be agreed in the case that it required a trial.

William Mousely, prosecuting said: “She was transferred under section 28 of the mental health act from prison to a secure psychiatric hospital some time ago now.

“At an early case management hearing a provisional court date was set for in March, which was within custody time limits.

“The position is that the consequences following her transfer from prison is that the expert’s psychiatric assessment report is taking longer than perhaps was anticipated.

“As a consequence the expert has said that there will not be a report realistically until the end of March.

“In the meantime the defence are unable to gather any evidence they need until they have received that report.”

Judge Neil Ford QC, who presided over the hearing, commended the counsellors for keeping each other informed in the proceedings and agreed a new provisional court date needed to be set.

He said: “I suggest we set another court date for May 5 in Winchester, and the judge has up to three weeks and that should be more than enough for all the issues in that time and the High Court Judge will be able to deal with them then.”

Mr Mousely then asked that the parties in the case met in another hearing at the end of March, at Winchester Crown Court.

Judge Ford said that although he did not know which judge it would be at Winchester, he imagined it would be the recorder or his deputy, and it was agreed between all parties that there would be another case management hearing in Winchester on April 7.

Mr Ross also confirmed that the case was most likely to turn on the findings in the psychiatric report rather than a dispute of the facts in the case.

When the court last sat on the case, on September 17, Hindle appeared by video-link and was told she would remain in custody.

The seriousness of the case meant that it was sent to Bristol Crown Court after Hindle appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court.

Emergency services were called to the fire that killed Mr Redpath at 9.16pm on September 10, 2014.

He was taken to the Great Western Hospital by the South Western Ambulance Service, but later died.

A post-mortem revealed that Mr Redpath died of smoke inhalation and burns.