Accused in woods murder probe 'may apply for bail'

Hiralal Chauhan's body was found in Wainbody Wood three years ago. (S)

THE MAN accused of killing Hiralal Chauhan, whose body was found in a wood almost three years after he went missing, may make an application for bail.

David King, 43, of Middlborough Crescent, Radford, Coventry, appeared at Warwick Crown Court for a preliminary hearing after being charged with the murder.

Mr Chauham had gone missing from his home in Bowness Close, Keresley, just over three years ago.

In February this year a dog walker discovered the unidentifiable remains of a body in Wainbody Wood, Gibbet Hill, and alerted the police.

It took extensive DNA testing before it was identified and last month King was arrested on suspicion of Mr Chauhan's murder.

At the request of prosecutor Neil Bannister, the case was adjourned for the prosecution papers, including evidence from a forensic pathologist, to be served on the defence.

Defence statements will then be served prior to a plea and case management hearing at the end of August.

Ben Williams, defending, said there would likely be a number of defence experts needed on a number of aspects of the prosecution case.

And on the question of making a bail application, he added: "We are not in a position to make a positive application for bail, putting forward a particular package.

"But there may be an application with a condition of residence at an address outside the area."

Judge Griffith-Jones remanded King in custody ‘without prejudice to any formulated bail application in the future.’

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