New Forest murder: Man charged over killing of Pennie Davis

Detectives from Hampshire Constabulary say they believe Penelope Anne Davis, 47, was tending her horse shortly before she was killed (PA)

A 36-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a mother-of-five who was stabbed to death as she tended her horses in the New Forest.

Justin Robertson, of no fixed abode, is accused of murdering 47-year-old Pennie Davis on Tuesday September 2.

He will remain in custody and appear before Southampton Magistrates' Court on Monday.

A Hampshire police spokesman said Mrs Davis's family had been informed.

John Montague, senior district crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service in Wessex, said: "I have authorised Hampshire Constabulary to charge Justin Robertson with the murder of Penelope Davis, 47, from Blackfield, on 2 September.

"It is alleged that Mrs Davis was found killed when she was tending to her horses in a paddock near Leygreen Farm in Beaulieu. Her husband Peter Davis found her dead; she had sustained several stab wounds.

"I carefully reviewed all the available evidence provided to me by Hampshire Constabulary and in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors I am satisfied that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and it is in the public interest to prosecute Justin Robertson with the murder of Penelope Davis.

"Proceedings are now ongoing and the defendants have the right to a fair trial. It is very important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

Following the death of the supermarket worker, her family said in a statement: "We are devastated by the death of our beloved mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend.

"Pennie was a remarkable person. She was a devoted mother of five children who worked hard to ensure that they had everything they needed.

"She cared for and supported them in everything they did.

"In May she married her love, Pete, at a joyful occasion surrounded by her loved ones.

"Pennie was the kind of woman who once she became your friend she was a friend for life.

"We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and grief that her death has caused.

"She was particularly close to her mother who is devastated by her death and who joins the whole family in appealing to everyone for help in finding the perpetrator of this crime."

A 28-year-old woman from Hythe, Hampshire, arrested on Thursday on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder has been released on bail until November 3.

Leanne Doyle, 24, of Beech Crescent, Hythe, was charged on Monday with assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice. She has been bailed and is due to appear at Winchester Crown Court on October 1.

A 22-year-old man, previously arrested on suspicion of murder, has been released on bail, while a 37-year-old man held on suspicion of assisting an offender has also been bailed.

PA