Man, 63, appears in court charged with murdering wife and her son after pair found seriously injured at village home
A MAN has appeared in court charged with murdering his wife and her son at home.
Maria Nugara, 54, and 29-year-old Giuseppe Morreale were found seriously injured in the village of Ugley, Essex, on Friday.
The mum’s husband Calogero Ricotta, 63, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court today charged with two counts of murder.
Ricotta, who is also accused of actual bodily harm, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.
He was remanded into custody to next appear at the same court on August 16 for a plea hearing.
The horror unfolded just before 10pm on Friday following reports two people had been seriously injured at the property.
Police tragically discovered both Maria and Giuseppe dead inside.
Stunned neighbours told how the family “kept themselves to themselves” and had various animals at their home.
Linda Cooling, 57, told Essex Live: “I know they had dogs and they were very well looked after. I know they used to have chickens.”
Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, described the deaths as “shocking”.
They said the family kept dogs and “large-breed rabbits” and that she used to buy eggs from them.
The neighbour said: “She was a nice lady.”