A MAN is to go on trial for the murder of a 30-year-old woman who died at a house in Andover.

Shaun Dyson, 28, of Bury Hill Close, Anna Valley, is accused of killing his former partner Lucy-Anne Rushton, also known as Lucy, who was discovered at a home in Suffolk Road on Sunday, June 23.

Emergency services rushed to the incident at 5.30am but Ms Rushton, of Suffolk Road, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Dyson, wearing a checked shirt, appeared before Judge Keith Culter for a plea hearing at Winchester Crown Court (today).

Hearing the Mr Dyson's not guilty plea was Ms Rushton’s family who were sat in the public gallery.

Judge Cutler has set a date for the trial, expected to last three weeks, to begin at the same court on December 2, this year.

Mr Dyson was remanded back into custody following the hearing.

Following her death, Ms Rushton’s family paid tribute to her.

They said: “A beautiful mother, daughter, sister, niece, auntie and friend. Sadly her life was taken away from us all.

“Part of her will always live on through her children. There will never be a day that she isn’t thought about.

“She will be missed enormously by everyone. The life and soul of the party. We are absolutely heartbroken that we will never see her gorgeous face again.

“R.I.P our Angel. We love you Lucy. Never forgotten, always in our hearts. Mum’s wild child.”