A PENSIONER sobbed after a magistrate told him he was being charged with murdering his wife.

Phillip Williamson, 88, asked to be seated in the dock at Reading Magistrates’ Court today before planting his face into a tissue.

He sat accused of killing his wife Josephine Williamson, 83, in their detached home on November 21 last year.

The retired vet covered his eyes and mouth repeatedly as magistrates explained the crime was too serious to be dealt with today.

Emotional members of his family were present at the hearing as Mr Williamson was told he would need to spend the night in a cell before being brought before a Crown Court judge tomorrow.

He was too overcome to tell the bench whether or not he understood why his case could not be heard in that court.

Magistrate David Ball said: “We have no jurisdiction here so this matter is being sent to the Crown Court and the first hearing will be tomorrow morning.”

Mr Williamson, wearing a light blue shirt, dark blue cardigan, green mac and glasses was told to leave the court to receive instructions from his lawyer, Chris Albin.

A dock officer then led the pale faced man, who was still wiping the tears from his eyes, away and into a holding cell.

The 88-year-old was charged by Thames Valley Police today with one count of murder after his wife was found dead in their home in Elm Lane, Earley.

He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Reading Crown Court tomorrow morning.

Josephine, a PE teacher who taught at Alfred Sutton School was described as a “fit and active” woman by friends who paid tribute shortly after her death last year.

For two days emergency service vehicles surrounded the home the couple had shared while investigators combed for clues and collected evidence at the house - which sits in a cul-de-sac behind the Abbey Veterinary Surgery in Elm Lane.