by Julia Roberts

A 32-year-old Lithuanian man will stand trial in July for the murder of his girlfriend in Canterbury.

Tomas Uptas is alleged to have killed 46-year-old Loretta Raupiene at their bedsit at the Ambassador Guest House in Victoria Road on November 26 last year.

Uptas pleaded not guilty to her murder when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday.

Assisted by an interpreter, he also denied attempted false imprisonment of David Bowles and possession of a BB gas-powered gun with intent to cause fear of violence on the same date.

He was arrested by police at Morrisons supermarket in Wincheap just hours before Miss Raupiene's body was discovered.

Judge Andrew Patience QC remanded Uptas in custody until his trial starts on July 12. It is expected to last up to four weeks.