THE trial of a man accused of kidnapping and murdering a North Yorkshire woman has been rescheduled.

Andrew Lee Pearson is alleged to have killed and imprisoned Natalie Harker, of Colburn, near Richmond, on October 9 last year.

The 30-year-old was found dead in Brough with St Giles, near Catterick. She had previously been reported missing.

Pearson, of Chestnut Court, Catterick Garrison, was due to stand trial earlier this month at Teesside Crown Court charged with murder and kidnap.

An application for bail is expected to be lodged by Pearson's defence team to allow him to be released from custody until the trial takes place on July 13 this year.

The hearing was delayed when the government announced that all jury trials were to be stopped during the coronavirus pandemic.

As a result Crown Courts around the country are being forced to reschedule trials for later in the year.