Man faces trial charged with murder of missing woman

A man will face trial next year for the murder of a woman who disappeared a decade ago.

Darren Osment appeared before Bristol Crown Court charged with the murder of 32-year-old Claire Holland.

The shaved 40-year-old man faces a three-week trial before a Supreme Court judge starting March 13, 2023.

Judge Peter Blair QC, The Recorder of Bristol, said a pre-trial preparatory hearing would take place on November 14.

Osment, of Chessel Drive, Patchway, South Gloucestershire, made no plea for the single charge he faces.

Mark Linehan, representing the defendant, did not apply for bail and Osment was remanded in custody until his next court appearance.

The judge told Osment: “We will have another hearing on November 14 to deal with further directions of the case, make sure you have the documents from the prosecution that you need and an attorney. Your need to represent your case and respond.

“In the meantime, I will hold you in custody and no bail applications have been made today.”

On Thursday, Bristol Magistrates Court heard him charged with the murder of Mrs Holland on a date between 5 June and 8 June 2012.

Ms Holland, from the Lawrence Weston area of ​​Bristol, was last seen leaving the Seamus O’Donnell’s city center pub at 11:15 on June 6, 2012, the day after the Diamond Jubilee holiday. Queen’s Weekend.

She was reported missing a few days later and hasn’t been seen or heard of since, despite several mass searches and appeals for information.