A WOMAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of her elderly neighbour. Marilyn Taylor-Hadden, 54, is accused of killing 80-year-old Ethel Thomas of Mackenzie Way, Gravesend.

Mrs Thomas died in a fire at her home in the early hours of Monday morning. It is alleged that Ms Taylor-Hadden deliberately set fire to her ground floor flat with the intention of harming Mrs Thomas who lived in the flat above.

Magistrates at Darford remanded Ms Taylor-Hadden to Holloway Prison where she will remain until she appears before the crown court. An inquest into the death is due to be opened next week.