Cabbie rap for murder of Becky

A TAXI driver has appeared in court accused of murdering a prostitute who was missing for almost a decade.

Christopher Halliwell, 52, made a brief appearance at Bristol Crown Court ahead of a trial that is due to begin next week.

The father-of-three has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Becky Godden ( above), 20, between January 1, 2003 and April 3, 2008.

The body of Miss Godden was found in a shallow grave in a field in Eastleach, Glos, eight years after she disappeared.

During an earlier hearing, Halliwell confirmed he has decided to represent himself during the murder trial, which will begin on Monday.

Until her body was found, her family thought Miss Godden, who had drifted into drugs and prostitution, was living in the Bristol area.

She had broken off contact with them after saying she could not put her mother through the pain of watching her succumb to drugs. DEATHWATCH beetles attract mates by repeatedly banging their heads on the floor