A 24-YEAR-old Ipswich man today appeared in court accused of murdering Capel pensioner.Simon Hall, wearing a blue jumper over a white shirt and jeans, spoke only twice to confirm his name, address in Hill House Road, Ipswich, and date of birth as September 14 1977.

A 24-YEAR-old Ipswich man today appeared in court accused of murdering Capel pensioner.

Simon Hall, wearing a blue jumper over a white shirt and jeans, spoke only twice to confirm his name, address in Hill House Road, Ipswich, and date of birth as September 14 1977.

At the end of the five-minute hearing he was remanded in custody to appear in court on August 6.

Defence counsel Alan Caldwell made no application for bail at this stage on the understanding an application maybe made at a later date.

Magistrate Bernard Hindes remanded Hall in custody until his Crown Court appearance.

Reporting restrictions were not lifted.

Mrs Albert was found dead in the hallway of her Boydlands home at 10am on December 16 last year. Her body had stab wounds.

Officers arrested Hall on Thursday morning and he has remained in custody since then.

Hall was arrested on day 221 of Operation Magdala, the codename given to one of Suffolk police's biggest murder enquiries during which more than 1,000 statements were taken and 1,595 vehicles logged in the Capel area.

In March this year Detective Superintendent Roy Lambert took the unusual step of writing to more than 700 Capel residents in an attempt to jog memories.

The sight of the elegant former hairdresser, who lived alone, walking her beloved spaniel Rusty was a familiar one around the village.

Mrs Albert was the second eldest of the seven children of Elias and Agnes Tuckwell and the family became well known in Suffolk when Mr Tuckwell began farming in Pettaugh.

More than 40 mourners attended the funeral in January which was held at the West chapel of Ipswich Crematorium.