An 83-year-old Suffolk man who was awaiting sentence for attacking his wife has died of cancer, a court has heard.

Oscar Gant of West Street, Icklingham, had pleaded not guilty to attempting to murder Linda Gant on September 22 last year but admitted an alternative less serious charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to her.

The sentence was adjourned for a pre-sentence but Ipswich Crown Court heard on Wednesday (October 18) that he had died on September 24.

Judge Martyn Levett said he had granted the defendant, who had prostate cancer, bail so that he could go into a care home.

Judge Levett said he had seen a death certificate and marked the case file as closed.

Mrs Gant was taken to hospital with a head injury after the attack.