A PENSIONER charged with a murder in a Gwynedd village could face a trial next summer.

Thomas Bryan, 75, appeared by video link at Mold Crown Court following the death of Vivienne Bryan, 74, at an address in Fairbourne on Christmas Day.

Dafydd Roberts, counsel for the defendant, made no indication of a plea, but said that “loss of control would be a primary issue” for the defence case.

Judge Rhys Rowlands set a date of Friday, March 20 next year for a plea hearing and provisionally fixed any trial to start on June 22.

Bryan, of Francis Avenue, was remanded in custody.