A MAN charged with attempting to murder a teenage girl in a car crash after the unexplained death of his wife has appeared in court.

Lukasz Jarosz, 34, was travelling on the A36 at Wilton Kingsway at 4.30pm on Friday with a schoolgirl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, in the passenger seat when his Skoda hit a van.

Shortly afterwards police found his wife's body at their home in Adelphi Court, Wilton.

Mr Jarosz was also arrested on suspicion of her murder, but has not been charged over the 35-year-old's death, which is being treated as unexplained.

Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances.

He appeared before magistrates in Swindon on Monday, assisted by a Polish translator, as the charge of attempted murder was read to him.

No formal plea was entered but his defence “vehemently denied” that he had intended to harm the girl.

The defendant wore a light-grey tracksuit and spoke only to confirm his name and address.

Prosecutor Keith Ballinger informed magistrates that the case was so serious that it could only be heard at crown court.

Defending, Catherine Thornton asked magistrates if her client could leave the dock and be led down to the cells mid-way through the hearing when he was overcome by emotion.

Magistrate Diana Crockett granted the request and adjourned the case until February 6 when the defendant will appear at Winchester Crown Court.

The girl was trapped in the car and had to be cut free after the crash. She was taken to Southampton Hospital with a leg injury and is now in a stable condition.

Speaking about the wife's unexplained death, Detective Chief Inspector Jeremy Carter said: "At this stage the circumstances leading to the death are unclear and an investigation is underway.

"The local community may see increased police activity in the area as officers carry out house to house enquiries and we are grateful for the assistance and co-operation of residents.

"We would like to reassure the public that we believe this to be an isolated incident and we will keep the community updated with our progress.

"I ask that anyone who has information or who saw or heard anything suspicious in Adelphi Court Friday afternoon contacts us, as that detail may well assist our investigation."

Call 101, or Crimestoppers where information can be left anonymously on 0800 555 111.