A University of Suffolk lecturer accused of murdering his wife is now set to face trial in October.

Ertan Ersoy was charged with murder after the death of fellow university lecturer Antonella Castelvedere on June 1.

The 50-year-old, of Wickham Road, Colchester, had initially been set to stand trial on Monday, January 9, but this has now been postponed until later in the year.

East Anglian Daily Times: Dr Antonella Castelvedere was a lecturer at the University of Suffolk. (Image: University of Suffolk)Dr Antonella Castelvedere was a lecturer at the University of Suffolk. (Image: University of Suffolk) (Image: University of Suffolk)

Dr Castelvedere, who was a senior lecturer in English literature and leader of the MA Creative and Critical Writing course at the University of Suffolk in Ipswich, was found with fatal injuries in her home.

Police officers called to the scene found Ersoy was also injured. He was taken to hospital and subsequently charged with murdering his 52-year-old wife.

An inquest opening at Essex Coroners' Court recorded Dr Castelvedere's provisional cause of death as a “stab wound to the neck”.

East Anglian Daily Times: Antonella Castelvedere died at her Wickham Road home in Colchester.Antonella Castelvedere died at her Wickham Road home in Colchester. (Image: Essex Police)

Ersoy, who has worked at the same university as a guest economics lecturer, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court in September and denied the offence.

In a statement following Dr Castelvedere's death, a University of Suffolk spokesman said she was a “well-liked” member of staff.

He said: “The University of Suffolk community is deeply saddened by the untimely death of Dr Antonella Castelvedere.

“Antonella was a widely respected and well-liked member of staff at the university where she was an outstanding academic in English and critical writing.

“Our thoughts are with her family at this very difficult time.”

The university’s website added Dr Castelvedere had a “long experience” in enhancing student experiences through her academic leadership, innovative curriculum design and professional partnerships.

The Italian press reports she hailed from Brescia, a city in northern Italy, and leaves behind a young daughter.

Tributes flooded in following her death from former students.

Beth Cobbold, 25, studied English at the university from 2015-2018 and said: “Antonella was a truly talented and passionate lecturer who cared for and inspired all her students.

“I was so fortunate to be taught by her, and her positivity was infectious, helping me and many others, through their studies. She will be greatly missed.”

The trial is now provisionally listed to begin on October 2, 2023.