Man denies killing estranged wife

Glyn Razzell denies murder

A man accused of murdering his estranged wife, whose body has never been found, has told a jury he did not kill her.

Glyn Razzell, 44, of Barn Close, Crewkerne, Somerset, was giving evidence at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday.

Asked by his barrister Stewart Jones QC whether he had killed, arranged to kill, kidnapped, arranged to kidnap or knew anything about the disappearance of Linda Razzell, he answered "no".

Mrs Razzell, 41, vanished on her way to work as a learning support assistant at Swindon College, Wiltshire, in March 2002.

The mother-of-four was last seen parking her car in Alvescot Road in the town - her mobile phone was found in a nearby alleyway.

The Razzells were married in 1984

Mr Razzell, an unemployed investment market manager, told the jury that on the day of her disappearance he had been for a walk and went to see his solicitor.

Later he met his girlfriend from work.

He was questioned about CCTV footage from that day, which showed him in clothes which did not match the ones he told police he had been wearing. He denied attempting to mislead police and said it was a "just a mistake".

All Mr Razzell's journeys that day were done in a silver Renault Laguna, borrowed from a friend.

Earlier in the case, prosecution barrister Michael Parroy QC said traces of blood matching that of Mrs Razzell were found in the boot of the car.

The couple were in the middle of divorce proceedings.

The jury has been told that Mr Razzell faced a financial settlement which he was not prepared to accept.

The trial continues.