Katrina O'Hara: man faces court over hairdresser's murder

Katrina O'Hara was murdered earlier this month. Picture: Facebook

Stuart Thomas appeared at Winchester Crown Court, Hants, charged with murdering mother-of-three Miss O’Hara in Blandford, Dorset, on January 7.

Miss O’Hara, 44, was killed after being stabbed twice in the chest at the barbers where she worked in Blandford, Dorset at 6.10pm earlier this month.

In a five-minute hearing at Winchester Crown Court, Thomas spoke only to confirm he understood when he would next be appearing in court.

Thomas, who was cradling a bandaged left arm, was remanded in custody until his next court appearance.

No application for bail was made.

Thomas of Blandford, Dorset, will next appear in court on April 1 for a hearing.

Thomas, who wore a grey sweatshirt, is yet to plea in regards to the murder charge.

The court heard that, if it is needed, a trial will start in July.

Judge Keith Cutler said: “Stuart Nicholas Thomas, you heard the timetable we are stating for this case. We are aiming for a trial - if it is needed - for July.

“You and I are likely to meet on April 1 and we will see what progress has been made.

“You are remanded in custody until April 1.”

Thomas was arrested after the incident and spent two days in hospital being treated for an injury to his wrist before he was questioned by police and charged.

Miss O’Hara was born in West Lothian, but moved south many years ago.

She lived in Okeford Fitzpaine, seven miles from Bladford where she worked, with her 16-year-old daughter Morgan.

She also had two sons, Kyle, 25, and Dean, 23.