Natalie's parents Robert, left, and Muriel Hussey took the witness stand to describe how Williams told them about their daughter's disappearanceTHE parents of Natalie Williams revealed how her husband appeared "controlled and calm" when he told them about their daughter's disappearance 14 hours after he first reported her missing.

Robert and Muriel Hussey took the witness stand to describe how their son-in-law turned up out of the blue in a hired car at the Twyford home of their daughter Jacqui to tell them their youngest child had vanished.

Williams hired the Vauxhall Astra in Bath, using a credit card, just hours after being released from police questioning taking what was termed in court as a "curious and convoluted route."

The route, passing through Warminster, took Williams close to a lay-by at Biss Bottom, where muddied clothes belonging to him, which the prosecution say link him to the river murder scene, were later found by police.

Father-of-three Robert Hussey said Williams stayed cool when he detailed the chain of events leading up to his wife's disappearance but became flustered when questioned in more detail.

"He seemed all controlled. If it had been my wife I would have been beside myself.

"He was very calm and had things off pat until we started to question him. We were asking more questions but we were not getting any answers."

Williams cited the disappearance of Swindon mother Linda Razzell as a possible explanation for his wife's disappearance.

Mr Hussey said: "He was bringing up things about a woman who got abducted in Swindon and was missing. He also said she had some wine and might have slipped into the river. She was a strong swimmer."

Muriel Hussey said Williams was always a "nervy" character and became evasive when quizzed about his actions on the night his wife was killed.

She said: "Randle said Natalie had taken the dog for a walk and I said 'why did you let her go out at that time of night?'

"I said to him: 'why didn't you let us know before, why did you wait so long?' It seemed a long time for us not to know she was missing."

Mrs Hussey said her daughter was uncertain about the move to Hampshire and worried about leaving her Bradford on Avon house and job in Bath.

Elder sister Jacqui Boyle told the court her sister was apprehensive about the move and worried about how they were going to manage financially.

The day before her death Mrs Williams handed over joint power of attorney to Williams and Mrs Boyle. A newly drawn-up will also made Williams sole beneficiary of his wife's estate.

The trial continues