Wife charged with Gambia murder

The 26-year-old wife of an elderly man who went missing in Africa has been charged with his murder after his burnt remains were discovered.

William West, 76, of St Helen's Park, Hastings, East Sussex, had been staying with his wife Kate at their beachside holiday home in Sanyang, The Gambia.

He was reported missing on 3 July while on a day trip to neighbouring Senegal. Gambian police said his Ghanaian-born wife had led officers to his body. A man is being questioned.

Asst Supt Aziz Bojang said Mrs West knew all the circumstances surrounding the death of her husband

The badly burnt remains of Mr West were found in a sack outside the perimeter fence of their four-bedroom home on Thursday.

Mr Bojang said the cause of death had yet to be established. A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out.

"She [Mrs West] has named an alibi suggesting she was not involved but other people did it, that she collected the remains afterwards," he added.

Mr West married his wife six years ago just months after meeting her while on holiday in The Gambia. His first wife died in 1994.

The couple left their home in East Sussex six weeks ago to fly to their holiday retreat.

Mrs West returned to the UK after her husband disappeared but made another trip to The Gambia on Tuesday with a family friend to register Mr West as officially missing.