'Suicide pact' accused in court

A man has pleaded not guilty in court to aiding the death of his girlfriend in an alleged failed suicide pact.

Unemployed father-of-one Wayne St Clair, 43, of Aspen Gardens, in Poole, Dorset, entered his not guilty plea at Winchester Crown Court on Friday.

The alleged incident took place between 31 October and 8 November, when Christine Needham, 34, also from Poole, died from an overdose, police said.

Mr St Clair was given unconditional bail. A trial was set for 23 February.

The court heard the married mother-of-two, from Seatown Close, was discovered by paramedics following a telephone call from Mr St Clair.