A TRIAL date has been set for two men accused of murdering Dudley woman Julia Rawson.

Nathan Maynard-Ellis, aged 29, of Mission Drive, Tipton, and David Leesley, aged 24, of Dereton Close, Dudley, will stand trial on March 9 next year.

The date was set a pre-trial hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Monday, October 14,

Both men pleaded not guilty to murdering the 42-year-old warehouse operative at a hearing on July 25.

An inquest into Ms Rawson's death was opened at Black Country Coroner's Court by Coroner Zafar Siddique on September 30, where it was adjourned for the court proceedings to take place.

Julia, from Green Park Road, was reported missing on May 13 and her body was discovered a month later on June 12 in Tipton, following an extensive search by police.