MILLS: TRIAL IN THE NEW YEAR FOR MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING EX

A man accused of stabbing his ex-girlfriend to death at his home is set to stand trial in January next year.

Clifford Mills, 48, is said to have slit the throat of 45 year-old grandmother Lorna Smith after she came round to visit on the afternoon of February 2, 2011.

The victim was found by police in the early hours of the next morning in the sitting room of the flat in Morrish Road, Brixton.

She had suffered knife injuries to her neck and back and a plastic bag had been placed over her head. Her left wrist had also been shattered.

Ms Smith lived in Hewitt Close, Croydon, and worked for Sainsbury’s in West Wickham, Kent.

Mills, who has a history of mental illness, was arrested after attending St Thomas’ Hospital at 5am on February 3.

Two knives were later recovered from a bag in the basement of a house near the Darmouth Castle pub in Hammersmith, west London.

Mills spoke only to confirm his name during a short hearing before the Common Serjeant of London Judge Brian Barker QC, at the Old Bailey.

He did not enter a plea. The court heard Mills was undergoing further medical assessment.

The judge set a provisional trial date for January 23. The case is expected to last five days.

A further hearing is scheduled for November 11.

Mills, of [Flat 4, 21] Morrish Road, Brixton, was remanded in custody.