A 29-YEAR-OLD woman has appeared before Bexley magistrates charged with murdering her estranged husband at the family home.

Maria Boyne, unemployed, of no fixed address, appeared at Bexley Magistrates' Court today (April 28) accused of murdering her husband Graham Boyne, at their house in Parkside Avenue, Barnehurst, last Thursday.

Also accused was Gary McGinley, aged 23, a warehouseman of Franklin Road, Welling.

The pair were remanded in custody by magistrates and were committed to the Old Bailey, to appear on August 4.

They were arrested last Friday when they attended a local police station.

A post-mortem examination at the Princess Royal University Hospital in Farnborough revealed Mr Boyne, 41, had bled to death after suffering multiple stab wounds.

Two other men arrested on the day of the murder were later released on police bail, pending further investigation.

Mr Boyne's body is believed to have been found by his father, who rushed to a nearby shop to call the emergency services.

Police immediately cordoned off the area while forensic teams carried out an examination of the scene and the Pop-In Shop in Northend Road, Erith, and searched drains and other areas for the murder weapon.

Family friend Leighann Miller said Mr Boyne had been a friend of her mother's and used to repair the family's televisions.

She said her family had now moved out of the area and she had been forced to call her mother to tell her that her friend had been murdered.

She added: "I felt disbelief. He was always polite, very nice to speak to. He was always laughing.

"I am so sad for the children. It is such a tragic loss."

Neighbours also voiced their shock that someone could have been murdered in the quiet suburban street.

Mr Boyne was a television engineer with two young children, a boy and a girl aged four and five.

News Shopper understands he and his wife were in the process of getting divorced.

An incident room has been set up at Lewisham police station and investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Damian Allain said the victim's father was the last person to see his son alive.

Mr Allain said: "The victim was last seen at his house in Parkside Avenue by his father - this visit took place at around 6pm on April 23.

"Anyone who saw the victim after this time, or who saw anything unusual in Parkside Avenue is urged to get in contact with us."

Anyone with information can call the incident room on 0208 721 4805 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.