A 19-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to murdering and raping a young woman in Staffordshire, a court has heard.
Wesley Streete, of no fixed address, denies murdering Keeley Bunker, whose body was discovered in a pond in woodland in Tamworth three months ago.
The 20-year-old was pronounced dead at about 9pm on September 19, after paramedics were called to the scene near Roman Way.
Prosecution counsel Jacob Hallam QC told a hearing at Stafford Crown Court on Monday that Streete, who was charged with murder in September, has now also been charged with raping the deceased.
Streete pleaded not guilty to both rape and murder during the 45-minute hearing.
He was remanded in custody to face a trial likely to take place in July.
Both offences faced by Streete are alleged to have been committed on September 19.
Adjourning the case, Judge Michael Chambers QC, the Recorder of Stafford, told Streete: "Your case is being adjourned further as I have heard it's no longer possible to try this matter in March.
"The likelihood is it will be tried on July 13th but that still needs to be confirmed."
