Teacher Jane Longhurst was found dead in woodland on 19 April

The 35-year-old man accused of murdering school teacher Jane Longhurst has appeared in court.

Graham Coutts, of Waterloo Street, Hove, East Sussex, was remanded in custody at a short hearing at Lewes Crown Court.

He will next appear before the court on 1 August when a plea and directions hearing will be held.

Miss Longhurst's body was found in woodland in West Sussex on 19 April.

Mr Coutts who appeared in court in handcuffs and wearing a black roll neck jumper, is charged with murdering Miss Longhurst at some point between 14 March and 19 April.

Judge Richard Brown adjourned the case and there was no application for bail.

Miss Longhurst, originally from Reading, lived with her partner Malcolm Sentance in Brighton and was a music teacher at Uplands School, a special needs school in the south coast city.

She disappeared from their home on 14 March and her body was found five weeks later at Wiggonholt Common, near Pulborough.

A post mortem examination showed she had been strangled.