An Ivybridge man has appeared in court to face a charge of manslaughter.

Jamie Jordan, who is 35, is accused of killing 37-year-old Melanie Jordan, who died in hospital after being found unresponsive at her home.

He is also accused of an offence of using controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship.

Ms Jordan, an accounts assistant, died at Plymouth’s Derriford Hospital in December 2022.

At the opening of Ms Jordan’s inquest in January 2023, coroner Ian Arrow said police had been called to her address in Whitleigh following “an unrelated incident”, where they found her unresponsive.

At a brief hearing at Plymouth Magistrates Court today (November 11) Jamie Jordan did not enter pleas.

He is formally charged that on December 19, 2022 he is alleged to have unlawfully killed Melanie Jordan.

He faces a further charge, that between January 14, 2021 and December 17, 2022, he repeatedly or continuously engaged in behaviour which was controlling or coercive, namely, emotionally, sexually, and physically controlling behaviour, towards Melanie Jordan and that at the time he was personally connected to her by means of an intimate relationship and that his behaviour had a serious effect on her which he knew or ought to have known.

Due to the seriousness of the charges, District Judge Jo Matson formally sent the case to be heard at Plymouth Crown Court on Monday December 14, 2026 when Jordan, of Primrose Close, Ivybridge, will record his plea.

He was released on bail.