Fareham Man In Court Over 1979 Murder

A Hampshire man accused of the historic murder of a woman found naked in a shallow grave more than 30 years ago has appeared in court to deny the charge.

Sally McGrath, 22, was found in woodland near Peterborough in March 1980 after vanishing in July 1979.

Paul Barry Taylor, 59, originally from Peterborough and now living in Valentine Close, Fareham appeared at Southwark Crown Court in London, where he pleaded not guilty to murder, a court official said.

He also denied three charges of rape, one of buggery, one of attempted rape and one of indecent assault, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

Miss McGrath was last seen alive at about 3pm on July 11 1979 at the Bull Hotel in Westgate, Peterborough, in the company of a man.

Her body, naked except for a pair of boots, was found by a gamekeeper on March 1 1980, partially buried in Wild Boar Spinney, at Castor Hanglands, to the west of Peterborough.

Her body was badly decomposed and police at the time could not recover any forensic evidence.

A post-mortem examination revealed she died from a ''blunt force'' injury to her head.

Miss McGrath was living with her parents and brother in Towler Street, Peterborough, when she vanished.

Cambridgeshire Police re-opened inquiries following a cold case review in 2010.

Taylor's trial is due to begin on October 2, a court spokesman said.