Rape charge for 'house of death' wife

THE WIFE of the 'house of death' builder Frederick West, 52, was yesterday remanded in custody charged with raping an 11- year-old girl, writes Marianne Macdonald.

Rosemary West, 40, is accused jointly with William Smith, 67, of having had sexual intercourse without consent with the girl between July 1974 and July 1976. She faces a second charge of assaulting an eight-year-old boy, causing actual bodily harm, between January 1972 and December 1974.

Mrs West, wearing a black cardigan and purple polo-neck, sat with her back to the public gallery during her 15-minute court appearance. She was remanded in custody for three days.

Police divers will today investigate a well at 25 Cromwell Street, Gloucester, the home of Mrs West and her husband. He is facing charges of murdering 10 women over the last 22 years, including his 16-year-old daughter and his first wife.