A GP from Liverpool appeared in court yesterday charged with killing one of his patients with a morphine injection.

Narendra Sinha, 67, is accused of administering a lethal dose of morphine to a woman while he was working as a locum.

The alleged victim was Maureen Lyth, 62, a mother-of-three from Whitby in Ellesmere Port.

Sinha, who lives in a semi- detached Georgian house in Freehold Street, Fairfield, Liverpool, appeared before Chester magistrates.

He wore a grey suit, white shirt and stripped tie.

Sinha lowered his head as he spoke only to confirm his name and address. No plea was entered to the charge of manslaughter and he was bailed to appear before Chester Crown Court on July 14.

Sinha, represented by Michael Brown, of Liverpool solicitors Berrymans Lace Mawer, was working as a locum in an Ellesmere Port surgery at the time of the allegation, which dates back to September 14, 2001.

He was suspended from practising by the GMC shortly after and the order was extended for a further 12 months in May this year.

During a five minute hearing, magistrates placed Sinha on bail with condition that he is not allowed to leave the UK without agreement of the court.

He was also ordered to remain in residence at his home address.

Speaking after the case, a representative for Ellesmere Port and Neston Primary Care Trust, said: "The trust is aware of the judicial process under way.

"As a result, it would not be appropriate for the PCT to comment on these criminal proceedings.

"However, we can confirm that the Liverpool-based doctor in question has worked for a company that deputises for GPs in the Ellesmere Port area and was suspended some time ago by the General Medical Council.

"As a result, he has not been able to practise as a GP anywhere in the UK for at least 18 months."

Mrs Lyth's husband, John, a retired contractor, was yesterday too distressed to speak.

One neighbour paid tribute to Mrs Lyth saying: "Maureen and John have lived here for many yeas and although they are a quiet family we knew her well.

"She had been unwell for a time before she died, but there was never any suggestion that an investigation was taking place.

"John is the sort of person who would keep that to himself."