The stretch of the River Avon at Bradford where Natalie Williams' body was foundITEMS of soiled and muddy clothing linking Williams to the river water in which his wife's body was submerged, were discovered in a Warminster lay-by, a court heard.

Mark Evans QC said trainers, swimming trunks, socks, a travel rug and t-shirt were found at Biss Bottom a week after the murder investigation was launched.

All the items have links to Williams and some with the water in which Mrs Williams' body was found near Greenland Mills, Mark Evans QC said.

Williams told police Natalie went missing while walking their dog Hardy on the riverbank near the Greenland Mills complex, at about 10.45pm on April 22.

At 1.30am Williams contacted the accident and emergency department at the Royal United Hospital, Bath, asking if his wife had been admitted, and 20 minutes later he contacted police.

Officers who attended the Bradford on Avon house found warm towels and puddles of water in the bath and Williams voluntarily attended Melksham police station to make a statement.

Hours after being released from questioning, on April 23, Williams managed to get his credit cards from his Mercedes and hailed a taxi to Bath.

Hiring a Vauxhall Astra he drove to the home of his wife's sister in Twyford, passing close to the Biss Bottom site.

Mr Evans said a receipt for green refuse sacks and detergent from Somerfield in Warminster proves Williams was lying when he told police he never entered the town on the way to Berkshire.

Police divers found Natalie's body, still dressed in silk pyjamas and a wax Barbour jacket, facedown in the River Avon two days after she was reported missing.

Post-mortem examinations found bruising around her neck consistent with manual strangulation and water in her lungs.

Mr Evans said Williams either held his wife's head under water and strangled her or strangled her on the riverbank and waded into the water with her body in a bid to submerge it.

He said scientific data would "prove conclusively" Williams was responsible for his wife's murder.

"Clearly the relationship between them was very volatile and with a tendency for violence not far below the surface," he said.

"Why would a man do such a thing? Why would a man commit such a crime?"

The trial continues