A 48-YEAR-OLD man is to go on trial accused of murdering a Downham woman in 2004.

Thuy-An Mao, who was arrested in Lewisham in April, appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court today (July 21) for a plea and case management hearing.

He pleaded not guilty to the murder of 38-year-old Jenny Lam, who suffered serious injuries when she was tied up with wire and doused with white spirit at a Wolverhampton restaurant in May of that year.

The mum-of-one, of Cotton Hill, Downham, had shares in restaurants in London and Kent and was in Wolverhampton decorating new premises.

Ms Lam was taken to Darent Valley Hospital and then to a specialist burns unit, where she spent five months on life support before dying from severe chemical burns.

A trial date has been set for October 17.