THE trial of David Venables who is alleged to have murdered his wife, Brenda, is set to get underway this morning.

The 89-year-old, of Elgar Drive, Kempsey, denied a single charge alleging that he murdered his wife “on a day between May 2 and May 5 1982” when he appeared in court last September.

Brenda Venables remains were found in a septic tank 37 years after she disappeared.

She was reported as missing in 1982 from the couple’s then home in Bestmans Lane, Kempsey.

Venables was arrested in 2019 after the human remains were discovered in the cesspit.

Cotswold Journal: TRIAL: David VenablesTRIAL: David Venables

The case is in courtroom three of Worcester Crown Court, being heard in front of Mrs Justice Amanda Tipples.

It has been listed to last around six weeks.

Venables was charged in 2021. The pensioner’s bail was subject to a condition of residence and instructions not to apply for a passport or to contact prosecution witnesses.

Cotswold Journal: WIFE: Brenda VenablesWIFE: Brenda Venables

Mrs Venables' inquest had been listed to be heard in Stourport in January, but was taken off Worcestershire Coroners Service list of inquests.

READ MORE: Delay to inquest into Brenda Venables death as husband David on trial

READ MORE: Human bones found in Kempsey, Worcester

At the time the senior coroner David Reid provided us this statement: "The inquest has been suspended pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings against Mrs Venables' husband.

"A decision about whether or not to resume the inquest will be taken at the conclusion of those proceedings."