THE murder trial of a 30-year-old man from the Fawley area, which was due to begin at Winchester Crown Court today has been delayed until Wednesday Davina Harris died when fire swept through the upstairs part of her house at Ash Close on Hythe's Netley View Estate in the early hours of May 14 last year.

The alarm had been raised by neighbours and the mother-of-two was found in a bedroom of the building after firefighters forced their way into the building with the aid of breathing apparatus.

Ian Houliston, 31, of no fixed address, but formerly of Whitefield Road, Holbury, is accused of murder and of arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

He has pleaded not guilty to both charges and the trial is expected to last for around three weeks. The opening day of the trial was likely to be taken up with discussion on legal points.

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