Sarah Henshaw: Man 'dumped murdered girlfriend's body near M1'

Sarah Henshaw's body was found in a lay-by near the M1 motorway, a jury has been told

A carpet fitter murdered his ex-girlfriend and dumped her body close to a lay-by near the M1, a court has been told.

Darren Hall is accused of killing Sarah Henshaw and disposing of her body in woodland in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

Ms Henshaw, 31, was last seen at her home in Norman Street, Ilkeston, on 20 June, before her body was found six days later.

Mr Hall, 36, of Rodney Way, Ilkeston, denies murder.

Ms Henshaw's body was discovered in the early hours of 26 June beside the A617.

Opening the prosecution's case, Michelle Heeley KC said Ms Henshaw and Mr Hall had been in a relationship "punctuated by arguments, separation and reconciliation".

After their latest split, Ms Henshaw "wanted the defendant out of her life" but he kept a key to her home despite multiple requests to return it, the trial heard.

Floral tributes were left outside Ms Henshaw's home

Jurors were told that, during the afternoon of 20 June, Mr Hall let himself into the house while Ms Henshaw was out with a friend.

A neighbour texted Ms Henshaw to check on her, after banging and shouting was heard from the home in the early hours of 21 June.

Telephone analysis showed Mr Hall used his work van to drive to the lay-by, where he stopped for nine minutes before returning home in the early hours of the following day, jurors heard.

"This was a well-chosen, well thought-out spot, hoping that she would not be found," Ms Heeley said.

In the following days, Mr Hall got rid of Ms Henshaw's belongings at a recycling centre and a skip, but told family and friends she had taken them herself, the jury was told.

Ms Heeley said: "We understand now that he will say she died accidentally during the course of an argument, as he was defending himself from her. Why he didn't then just call the police is a matter for you.

"There is no evidence that he was panicking in the aftermath of this offence. On the contrary, his actions were calculated and controlled - lying to her friends, using her phone to send messages, disposing of her body and then her clothes."

The trial continues.