THE man accused of the body-in-a-suitcase murder of teenager Terry Edmonds was refused bail at Maidstone Crown Court today.

Philip Bell made the application after his trial ended earlier this month with the jury faling to reach a verdict.

Judge Paul Worsley, QC, indicated at the time that he would grant leave for such an application, should it be pursued.

But Judge Andrew Patience, QC, ordered that 22-year-old Bell should remain in custody until the retrial on January 14 next year.

Bell denies murdering 17-year-old Terry at a car park, where he lived rough, next to Tunbridge Wells railway station and hiding her body in a suitcase on April 17 last year.

Terry, who lived at nearby Calverley Hill hostel, disappeared after arriving at the station. The suitcase containing the body was later found hidden under a ramp at the car park.