George Gordon, the 65-year-old accused of murdering Delia McInerney, whose body was found in a freezer, was not in court as his trial opened at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday.
Gordon, of Gerards Court in St Helens, is accused of murdering 64-year-old McInerney, from Anfield. Police attended an address on Gerards Court in January after receiving reports of concern for a person's safety and discovered human remains inside a freezer.
Defendant absent as jury sworn in
Gordon had been present on Monday afternoon when a panel of 20 jurors was selected, but he remained absent from the dock this morning. Mr Justice Goose, presiding over the case, told the jury: "You will see that there is nobody at the back of court at the moment. Don't worry about that. I have been given reasons as to why the defendant is not here at the moment. This sort of thing can happen in the course of any trial. We are just going to carry on at the moment."
The jury, comprising five men and seven women, along with two reserves who will hear the prosecution's opening, were then sworn in to serve on the case.
Charges and plea
Gordon previously pleaded not guilty to McInerney's murder. He also denies a second count of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, having been accused of killing five guinea pigs by drowning.
Represented by Gordon Cole KC and Philip Tully, Gordon denies both charges. The trial is expected to last up to six weeks.
