The 84-year-old man who allegedly killed his 82-year-old wife Giorgoulla Charalambous by striking her over the head with a hammer has been referred directly to trial at the Limassol criminal court on July 26.

The pensioner appeared before the court on Wednesday. The court ruled that he should remain in custody at the Nicosia central prisons until the trial.

The murder was committed on the morning of July 6 allegedly due a disagreement over money after the man’s wife asked him to go shopping.

The Limassol pensioner handed himself in to police while the victim was found in the courtyard of their house by officers.

The husband was due to undergo an evaluation by a state psychiatrist.

Limassol police said they have no records of previous problems with the couple.