I did not kill wife Alethea Taylor says undertaker

John Taylor swore on oath before telling a jury that he had not murdered Alethea, his wife of 16 years.

The 61-year-old, who reported his wife missing on January 19 last year, also claimed he had no idea where she was. The retired primary school teacher has not been seen since.

Taylor, who denies murder, is accused of killing Mrs Taylor at their family home in Mortimer Drive, Orleton, near Ludlow, and disposing of her body.

As up to 50 people watched on in the public gallery, Taylor's counsel Mr Hughes asked him: "You are accused of murdering your wife Alethea. Did you?"

"No, I did not," Taylor replied.

Mr Hughes added: "Do you have any idea where she is, or if she is alive or dead?"

Taylor said: "I do not have any idea at all where she is."

His denials came after the detective in charge of investigating devout Christian Mrs Taylor's disappearance earlier told the jury her husband had become prime suspect after double killer Stephen Farrow had been ruled out.

Farrow, 48, was sentenced to life in prison and told he would never be released for the killings of Betty Yates, in Bewdley, and the Rev John Suddards, in Gloucestershire, both on or around the time Mrs Taylor disappeared.

DI David Williams, of West Mercia Police, told Worcester Crown Court Farrow's two known victims had been murdered at home and their bodies left there. He added: "There is no evidence at all that he (Farrow) has been to Mortimer Drive, to Orleton, or even that general area."

The court had earlier heard that Taylor had started an affair with Alison Dearden, from the nearby village of Brimfield, six months before his wife disappeared.

The case continues.

Murder accused tells jury of love for widow - See today's Shropshire Star