Mark Cain, 45, of Fern Hill, Dersingham, was charged with murder after his wife Hannah Cain – known professionally as Dr Hannah Terry – was found dead at their home in the village near the Sandringham estate in the early hours of Sunday, October 4.
Hannah Cain (Image: Norfolk Sky Aesthetics)
At a preliminary hearing to set a trial date at King’s Lynn Crown Court, prosecutor Steven Ball said police attended the house after a report from Cain of a burglary.
He had superficial cuts and said he had had a confrontation with a burglar.
Mr Ball said a post-mortem had revealed Mrs Cain, 45, had died from a blunt force trauma to the head and also had neck injuries and was found upstairs in a bedroom unconscious and unresponsive.
He said the defendant was a 45-year-old man with a “previous good character”.
Nicholas Maggs, for Cain, said he would be seeking medical reports.
Judge the Hon Mr Justice Lickley adjourned the case until a pre-trial hearing at Norwich on December 3.
Forensic officers at the property in Dersingham where Hannah Cain was found dead (Image: Chris Bishop)
Cain, who appeared via video link, was remanded in custody.
In a statement issued beforehand by police, Mrs Cain’s family said: “We are devastated by the loss of our beautiful Hannah.
“She was kind, generous and loving; a beloved mother, daughter, sister, auntie, daughter-in-law and friend.
Hannah Cain (Image: Supplied)
“We are incredibly proud of the woman she was and of the great care she took of all her patients who knew her as Dr Terry.
“We would ask people to respect our privacy at this difficult time.”
She was listed as a member of the practice team at Grimston Medical Centre and served in a pool of doctors who were regularly on call for members of the royal family nearby, as first reported by The Sun newspaper.
The house in Dersingham where Hannah Cain was found dead (Image: Chris Bishop)
The King and Queen are understood to have been informed of her death.
A Home Office post-mortem examination took place on Monday and determined that the cause of death is pending further investigation.