Uk police
A man has appeared in court charged with murder after a woman was found beheaded in Cambridgeshire Getty

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a woman found beheaded at a house in Cambridgeshire. The woman, named locally as scientist Samantha Ho, was discovered at her home in St Neots on 29 August after armed officers were called to the scene.

Witnesses described seeing the woman's body and head separated at the house. A post-mortem examination confirmed Ho, who was in her thirties, died as a result of "multiple cuts to the neck".

Timothy Allen, 40, also of St Neots, was arrested and charged on suspicion of murder. He appeared before Peterborough Magistrates' Court to face the charges before being remanded in custody. He is next due to appear at Cambridgeshire Crown Court on 4 September.

Cambridgeshire Police said when they arrived at the scene, Allen was suffering from a serious but not life-threatening injury to the neck. He was taken to Hinchingbrooke Hospital and charged upon his release.

Detectives said they are treating the victim's death as an isolated incident and are not looking for anyone in connection with the murder. A Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson added: "Officers are in contact with the victim's family and they are being kept up-to-date on the inquiry. There will also be extra police patrols in the area as inquiries at the property continue."

Anyone with information should contact the major crime unit on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.