AN OXFORD man accused of murdering his wife appeared in court today.

Fatos Xheta was due to enter his plea at Oxford Crown Court but an adjournment was requested for a full psychiatric assessment to be completed.

Xheta, who appeared before Judge Ian Pringle, spoke via an Albanian translator only to confirm his identity.

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Defence barrister Mark Butler asked for a delay in Xheta entering his plea until a psychiatric assessment could be finished, which 'could affect fitness to plea'.

During a hearing last month it was confirmed that the victim of the alleged murder is his wife Safie Xheta, who died at a property in Lytton Road in Florence Park 'on or around' June 16.

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A trial start date was previously set for December 2, and Xheta is due back in court on September 13.

Barristers have said they expect the trial would last for about two weeks. Xheta was remanded in custody until his next appearance.

His wife, aged 35, was found deceased in a property on the road at about 5am on Monday, June 17.

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A police cordon and forensic tent were set up outside as officers investigated that day, and a large police presence remained in the area for much of the week to reassure the community.

A post-mortem examination confirmed the cause of the woman's death was knife injuries to the neck.

The cordon was in place around a house on the junction with Florence Park Road, near The Jolly Postboys pub.

Neighbours expressed shock and sadness about the incident in the immediate aftermath.