A ROYAL Navy sailor accused of murdering an officer on a nuclear submarine docked in Southampton will stand trial next year.

Able Seaman Ryan Samuel Donovan, 22, is charged with the murder of Lieutenant Commander Ian Molyneux, 36, and the attempted murder of three other crewmen on board HMS Astute in April.

Winchester Crown Court was told yesterday(FRI) that the trial was likely to be held in either January or March 2012.

Donovan, of Dartford, Kent, was not in court. He is due to return to court on September 19 for a plea and case management hearing.

Donovan is alleged to have fired an SA80 rifle six times, killing Lt Cdr Molyneux and also aiming shots at Petty Officer Christopher Brown, 36, Chief Petty Officer David McCoy, 37, and Lieutenant Commander Christopher Hodge, 45.

The incident took place as local dignitaries, including the city council's mayor, chief executive and leader, were being given a tour of the submarine while it was berthed at the Eastern Docks on a five-day official visit to Southampton.