A person {accused} of killing the niece of well-known comic Tommy Cooper is to go on trial subsequent yr charged along with her homicide.
Sabrina Cooper, 68, was discovered useless at an deal with in Eastbourne, East Sussex, at round 6.45pm on Sunday following a report of considerations for her welfare.
Officers discovered the previous magic store proprietor, the daughter of Tommy Cooper’s brother David, mendacity useless inside the home.
Tony King, 59, appeared at Lewis Crown Courtroom at the moment charged with homicide and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.
Tony King (pictured outdoors Lewes Crown Courtroom) is charged with the homicide of Tommy Cooper’s niece Sabrina
Sporting a black leather-based jacket with a white stubble and glasses, King spoke solely to substantiate his identification.
No pleas have been entered in the course of the listening to at the moment.
Decide Christine Laing KC mentioned there have been ‘unhappy circumstances surrounding the case’ earlier than adjourned it to subsequent yr.
King, who was remanded in custody, is because of enter pleas to each fees in March. He is because of go trial on in June.
Ms Cooper’s father was the brother of the late comic and she or he ran a magic store in Eastbourne named after the star, till it closed in April 2017.
She was well-loved and in style within the city, the place she had lived for a few years.
Ms Cooper was an animal lover and stored canines and will commonly be seen within the seaside resort strolling them.
Tributes have flooded in following her dying on Sunday.
One resident mentioned: ‘She was a beautiful girl, popular with everybody. It’s such a tragic factor.
King pictured arriving at Lewes Crown Courtroom earlier at the moment, the place he spoke solely to substantiate his identification
Native residents paid tribute to Sabrina Cooper (left) who ran the native Cooper’s Magic Store in Eastbourne. Pictured: in 2017
Ms Cooper was the niece of comic and magician Tommy Cooper, who died in 1984
‘The store in Eastbourne – which was half fancy costume – was iconic and everybody remembers it nicely.’
And taking to social media, one other resident mentioned: ‘Variety girl, all the time bear in mind her fancy costume store. Very useful. So unhappy.’
One other commented: ‘My accomplice labored for her within the store. Pretty girl such a disgrace.’
A 3rd added: ‘Such a tragic finish of a beautiful girl’s life I’ll all the time bear in mind our chats when she was out along with her pretty little canines.’
Detective Chief Inspector Emma Vickers, of Sussex Police, added: ‘Our ideas are with Sabrina’s household and pals at this troublesome time. We’re supporting them and preserving them up to date on the progress of this fast-moving investigation.
Police attended a property in Eastbourne at round 6.45pm on Sunday, the place Ms Cooper was discovered useless
Forensic officers on the scene of the property in Eastbourne on Monday morning following the suspected homicide
‘We perceive this incident will even trigger upset and concern in the neighborhood, and I wish to reassure folks that that is being handled as an remoted incident involving individuals recognized to one another, and with no menace to the broader public.
‘We’ve already accomplished in depth inquiries and this has resulted in an individual being arrested and charged inside 48 hours of police initially attending the deal with.
‘These inquiries will proceed because the case progresses via the court docket, and we encourage anybody with considerations or data referring to what occurred to get in contact with us.’
