Cheryl Gabriel-Hooper: Trial date set for man accused of murdering his wife in Newport
A man charged with shooting dead his estranged wife outside her home in Newport will stand trial for her murder next June.
Andrew Hooper, of Sutton, Newport, who is accused of killing Cheryl Gabriel-Hooper almost a year ago, was too ill to attend a court hearing yesterday.
The defendant, 46, now wheelchair-bound, was treated at Royal Stoke University Hospital but has recently been transferred to the hospital wing of Winson Green Prison, Birmingham Crown Court heard.
Ms Gabriel-Hooper, 51, was shot in the neck outside her home in Farmers Gate, at around 11pm on January 26. Paramedics were called but were unable to save her.
Neighbours were alerted by the sound of gunfire and the screams of the victim's daughter.
A fund that was set up to help support her has raised thousands of pounds. Ms Gabriel-Hooper had only recently moved to the area.
A trial date has been set for June 3. The case is expected to last at least a week.
