A WOMAN is back in court charged with the murder of a Southend man.

Kelly King, 30, of Howards Close, Westcliff, appeared at Basildon Crown Court via video link on Friday morning charged with murdering Courtney Valentine-Brown, 36.

Mr Valentine-Brown was stabbed in the leg at an address at Roots Hall Drive on February 21. He later died in hospital.

Three other people, Ian Slater, 49, of Wayletts, Leigh, Stuart Pearson, 43, of Satanita Road, Westcliff and Alex Stephens, 36, of Hamlet Court Road in Westcliff, have also been charged with his murder.

King was re-arrested on Wednesday following new evidence that came to light during the police investigation, and charged on the same day.

King spoke only to confirm her name at the preliminary hearing and did not enter a plea.

She will now join Slater, Pearson and Stephens as part of the same murder case.

All four defendents are set to appear at the same court on Wednesday for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

A provisional trial date has been set for July 29.