A TRIAL date has been set for Chris Collier after his wife was discovered dead at the marital home in Charter Road last weekend.

Appearing at Bristol Crown Court for the first time this morning via video link from HMP Bullingdon, where he has been remanded in custody, Collier, 52, who has been charged with murder, spoke only to confirm his name and that he understood what was happening.

Sitting calmly in white trousers and a beige jumper, Collier listened to a timetable being set out for a potential murder trial.

His wife, 55 year-old Anne, was found at her home in Chippenham by officers at the weekend in circumstances which were initially unexplained, and a murder investigation was subsequently launched.

Anticipating a short trial, Tara Wolfe, prosecuting, asked that a plea and case management hearing be heard before the end of the year.

His Honour Judge Michael Longman, presiding, set a trial date for February 15 next year, expected to last around five days.

“Mr Collier, your next hearing will be on December 1, and there is a proposed trial date for February 15. I am adjourning the case and meanwhile you will remain in custody,” he said. 

Collier, whose custody time limit expires next March, will remain at HMP Bullingdon until pleas are entered on December 1.