A man has appeared in court charged with murder after a woman's body was discovered inside a burning van.
Thomas Matthew Hammond Bell, 38, of Wellington Road, Rhyl, appeared before Mold Crown Court, with his legal team saying he would contest the allegation.
Court hears victim was alive when fire broke out
Judge Geraint Walters said it is understood the victim was alive when the van fire broke out, reports North Wales Live.
Bell is due to enter a formal plea to the murder charge on Friday, November 27.
Trial date set for next year
A provisional trial date has been set for April next year, expected to run for three weeks and be held at either Mold or Caernarfon Crown Courts.
The victim has yet to be publicly named, though the court heard she was known to the defendant.
Investigation and appeal
Emergency services were called to Gas Works Lane in Prestatyn at around 11.30pm on Sunday following reports of a van on fire, with police later confirming that the woman's body had been found inside the vehicle.
A murder investigation was subsequently launched, leading to Bell's arrest.
Detective Chief Inspector Zoie Dunkerley said: "I understand this incident will have caused concern to the local community, and our officers will be maintaining a visible presence in the area should anyone need to talk to us.
"I would like to thank the members of the public who have already contacted us, but if you have any information that could assist our investigation, and you have not already spoken to us, please get in touch via our live webchat or on 101 quoting reference 26000816112."
