A 43-year-old man pleaded not guilty when he appeared in court accused of the murder of a Wisbech woman.

Steven Stocks pleaded not guilty to the murder of Laraine Rayner, 52, of Mill Road, but admitted preventing her lawful and decent burial.

A provisional trial date has been set for October 17 at Cambridge Crown Court.

Ms Rayner’s body was discovered at her home in Mill Road on April 24. A post mortem concluded that she died from a stab wound to the neck.

Ms Rayner had three children. In a statement her family said: “Laraine was a cheerful, happy lady who was always there for other people.

“She would often come out with one line comments that would make people laugh. She will be sadly missed by all the family.”

Stocks appeared in court yesterday at Peterborough.