Man denies murdering wife and hiding body in basement

A husband today denied murdering his wife and hiding her body in a basement.

The body of Carol Jarvis, 47, was found beneath her home in Bathgate, West Lothian last September.

Today her husband Harry Jarvis, 60, pleaded not guilty to murdering her and attempting to defeat the ends of justice when he appeared at the High Court in Glasgow.

Rita Heyster, 56, also entered a not guilty plea to murdering Mrs Jarvis and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

The pair are accused of assaulting and murdering Mrs Jarvis at 6 Balbardie Crescent, Bathgate between September 11 and 15 last year.

They are also charged with wrapping the dead woman's body in a blanket, securing it with parcel tape and hiding it in the secure basement of the house.

Mr Jarvis is also accused of telling various people, including a police officer and members of his family, that his wife was elsewhere in order to make them believe she was still alive.

Lord Uist continued the case until a further hearing on October 12 in Edinburgh.