Woman denies murdering Bristol man almost 14 months after fatal attack

A Bristol woman has denied murdering a 61-year-old man in St Paul's - more than a year on from the fatal stabbing incident. Hubert "Isaac" Brown, from Easton, was attacked on Grosvenor Road on Friday, 29 September 2023, and suffered a stab wound from which he then died.

Christina Howell, 37, also from Easton, was arrested that same day. Howell appeared at Bristol Magistrates Court charged with murder on Monday, 2 October 2023, and was remanded into custody. Since then, she has been detained in a high-security hospital pending psychiatric reports on her fitness to stand trial.

Today (November 22), a not guilty plea was entered at a hearing at Bristol Crown Court. Howell was remanded in custody pending a further hearing on Friday, 20 December, and a trial in February 2025.

Specially-trained family liaison officers continue to support Isaac’s family through the court process. DI Nadine Partridge said: "This case has been unavoidably delayed because the defendant has been experiencing mental ill health, and has been unable to instruct defence lawyers in line with their right to a fair trial.

"The delay has understandably taken a toll on Isaac’s family. They have had to mark the anniversary of his death, and what would have been his 62nd birthday, and their wait continues.

"I would like to thank them for their continued support of the investigation team, and once again offer our wholehearted sympathy in their loss."