Man accused or Claire’s murder to face trial
A PATCHWAY man charged with the murder of Claire Holland is due to face trial in March next year.
Claire, then aged 32, from Lawrence Weston, was last seen leaving the Seamus O’Donnell’s pub in St Nicholas Street, Bristol, at around 11.15pm on June 6, 2012.
She was reported missing a few days later and has not been seen or heard from since.
Darren Osment, 40, of Chessel Drive, wearing a grey top with a poppy, appeared at Bristol Crown Court for a pre-trial preparation hearing yesterday.
The charge was not put to him but in a hearing lasting just over 30 minutes, a not guilty plea was indicated. Judge William Hart remanded him in custody pending a three to four week trial due to start from March 13 next year.
In August Avon and Somerset Constabulary carried out forensic-led searches at a Clifton pub in connection with their investigation into Claire’s disappearance.
At the time Det Supt Gary Haskins said: “These searches have now concluded and nothing of significance was found.
“Claire’s family have been updated on this latest development and remain fully supported by a specialist family liaison officer.”