Man charged with murder of music teacher Jane Longhurst

A 35-year-old man from Hove was charged last night with the murder of the schoolteacher Jane Longhurst, 31.

Graham Coutts, a part-time musician and salesman, will appear at Brighton magistrates' court today.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Dennis, who is leading Operation Keen to find Ms Longhurst's killer, said Mr Coutts would remain in police custody overnight before being taken to court.

The body of Ms Longhurst was found in woodland on Wiggonholt Common, near Pulborough, West Sussex, on 19 April. A post-mortem examination revealed that she had been strangled. She was last seen alive on 14 March by her 34-year-old partner, Malcolm Sentance, at the home the couple shared in Brighton.

The 96 pupils at Uplands special school in Brighton, where Ms Longhurst taught music, returned to class yesterday for the first time since her murder. Paul Atkins, the headteacher, said: "Many of the pupils have brought in more floral tributes to add to those left at the school ... There are also many very touching messages to Jane.

"There was a huge amount of very genuine affection and loss."