A FORMER Canterbury pest control officer accused of the parcel-bomb murder of a wealthy housewife almost 20 years ago will face trial at the Old Bailey next summer, a judge has ruled.

Keith Cottingham, 73, is alleged to have sent a package opened by 53-year-old Barbara Harrold at her home in Ightham in 1984.

It blasted air gun darts and nails into her stomach and she died three days later in the Kent and Canterbury Hospital.

Mr Cottingham had been living with his wife and two children in Jesus Pobre hamlet, near Benidorm, on the Costa Blanca, Spain, until his recent extradition to Britain.

He will go on trial in June charged with the murder of Mrs Harrold on May 27, 1984.