GRIEVING relatives of Natalie Williams sat motionless in a Bristol courtroom on Friday, September 6, as they listened to her husband Randle deny a charge of murder.

Williams, 43, walked into the dock to face a charge of murdering his wife between April 21 and April 24.

He denied murdering his 33-year-old wife and dumping her body in the River Avon at Bradford on Avon.

Natalie's parents Bob and Muriel Hussey and elder sister Nichola Laverton, 43, watched proceedings as the charges were read out and the plea entered.

Judge Thomas Crowther set out a timetable for the serving of evidence but said a trial would not be held before March 1.

Mrs Williams was reported missing by her husband on April 22.

Williams, who is released on bail until the trial, told officers his wife did not return home from walking the dog.

Police officers launched a missing person hunt but the body of Mrs Williams was spotted in the River Avon by a passer-by on April 25.

Police are continuing to appeal for a mystery blonde spotted talking to Mrs Williams in the Three Horseshoes Pub on the night she died to come forward.

Williams was released on bail and the case was adjourned until December 6 when a directions hearing will be held to check on the case progress.