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Husband appears in court charged with murdering his teacher wife, 32, and the Good Samaritan, 76, who stepped in to help her outside the couple's suburban home days before Christmas

A husband charged with murdering his wife and a pensioner who stepped in to help her three days before Christmas has appeared for trial.

Amy Appleton, 32, a much-loved teacher died of head injuries after she was attacked outside her suburban home in Crawley, West Sussex last December, along with pensioner Sandy Seagrave, 76, who lived close by. 

Daniel Appleton, 38, of Hazel Way in Crawley Down, appeared in the dock at Hove Crown Court today. 

He previously admitted killing both women but denied murder because he contests his mental state at the time of the offences.

The prosecution is expected to open its case on Monday and the trial is expected to last several weeks. 

Daniel Appleton, 38, has been charged  with murdering his wife and a pensioner (Pictured outside court on October 24)

Daniel Appleton, 38, has been charged  with murdering his wife and a pensioner (Pictured outside court on October 24)

Sandy Seagrave was described as a 'feisty' and 'brave' lady, is understood to have been walking past at the time of the attack and was killed when she tried to intervene.  

Both women had suffered catastrophic head injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.   

Teacher Ms Appleton has been described as 'a rock for her family, a rock for her friends', who 'always thought of others before herself'.

Amy Appleton, 32, (left) and Sandy Seagrave, 76, (right) had suffered catastrophic head injuries and were pronounced dead at the sceneAmy Appleton, 32, (left) and Sandy Seagrave, 76, (right) had suffered catastrophic head injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene

Amy Appleton, 32, and Sandy Seagrave, 76, had suffered catastrophic head injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene

Teacher Amy Appleton pictured at her graduation in 2010 with her husband Daniel Appleton

Teacher Amy Appleton pictured at her graduation in 2010 with her husband Daniel Appleton

Daniel Appleton, 38, had admitted killing but denied the murder in February. Pictured with his wife Amy Appleton on their wedding day

Daniel Appleton, 38, had admitted killing but denied the murder in February. Pictured with his wife Amy Appleton on their wedding day

She worked at nearby Copthorne Church of England Junior School and was described by her family as a 'beautiful, caring daughter, sister and friend'.

Ms Seagrave's family said she was 'not afraid of anything'.

They added: 'She was devoted to children and especially animals, including a wild fox who we are continuing to feed now that she has gone.'

The incident took place on December 22 last year, when one woman was found lying on a stretch of grass outside the house while another was found lying in the street. 

The incident took place outside the couple's  suburban home in Crawley, West Sussex

The incident took place outside the couple's  suburban home in Crawley, West Sussex

Neighbours had said at the time that both women were attacked outside the house in broad daylight and were brutally 'bludgeoned' to death. 

Neighbours left floral tributes to the two women in the village. 

The trial is being overseen by High Court judge Mr Justice Nicholas Hilliard.

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