GP charged over patient's death

A family doctor has been charged with murdering an elderly patient.

Harry Gittins, 74, from Newton Aycliffe in County Durham, was suffering from cancer at the time of his death in January this year.

In May, police arrested Dr Howard Martin, 70, at his surgery in Newton Aycliffe, and he was subsequently bailed pending further inquiries.

He was charged with murder on Wednesday and will appear before Newton Aycliffe magistrates' court on Thursday.

Mr Gittins' body was exhumed at the end of February as part of a police investigation into his death.

A post-mortem examination was carried out which resulted in the submission of samples for scientific examination by experts.