Man denies murdering woman in Stafford

Rebecca Simkin, 31, was found dead at a property in Stafford

A man has denied murdering a woman who was found dead at a property in Staffordshire.

Staffordshire Police were called to Newport Road in Stafford on 29 July to reports that a woman had died.

Appearing at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday, Wayne Bond, 44, pleaded not guilty to one count of murdering Rebecca Simkin, 31, between 24 and 26 July.

Mr Bond, of Newport Road, Stafford, appeared for the hearing via video-link.

Wearing a grey jumper and an orange vest and holding a crutch, he spoke only to confirm his name and enter his plea.

Judge Kristina Montgomery KC was told that experts were still trying to determine Ms Simkin's cause of death, and that a trial date set for the beginning of February may need to be moved back to June.

She said a further hearing would be arranged in November or December to discuss progress.