A woman who killed her husband in a hammer attack after suffering years of his controlling behaviour has been freed from prison ahead of a retrial for his murder.

Georgina Challen, known as Sally, said she killed 61-year-old Richard Challen in August 2010 after decades of being coerced and humiliated by him.

She was released on bail tonight almost ten years after she was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court in 2011.

After years of campaigning by her sons David and James Challen, her conviction was quashed and a new trial ordered at the Court of Appeal.

She has always denied murdering the car dealer, but was convicted following a trial and sentenced to 22 years behind bars. Her sentence was later reduced by four years on appeal.

However appearing via videolink from HMP Bronzefield at the Old Bailey earlier today, Mrs Challen wiped away tears as Mr Justice Edis granted her conditional bail.

The former Police Federation office manager was asked by the judge if she pleaded guilty or not guilty to the murder, to which she answered: “Not guilty, but guilty to manslaughter”.