A man has appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court accused of murdering an ex-girlfriend who died decades after being set on fire.

Avon and Somerset Police said detectives from their major crime investigation team had charged Steven Paul Craig, 57, from York, on Thursday night.

Jacqueline Kirk died in August 2019 at the age of 62, 21 years after suffering serious burn injuries in Somerset.

Craig is charged with her murder between 18 April 1998 and 23 August 2019 at Dolphin Square in Weston-super-Mare.

He was remanded in custody at Bristol Magistrates’ Court ahead of his next court appearance at Bristol Crown Court on Monday.

Avon and Somerset Police said detectives from their major crime investigation team had charged Mr Craig on Thursday night.

A spokesman said: “The charge was authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service South West’s complex casework unit.”