A 50-year-old man has denied murdering his ex-wife and dumping her body in a suitcase.

Ashwin Daudia pleaded not guilty to killing Kiran Daudia during an appearance before a judge at Leicester Crown Court via video-link from prison.

The administrative hearing was told that Daudia is alleged to have killed his former wife on January 16 this year.

A member of the public found the 46-year-old's body inside a suitcase in an alleyway off Cromer Street in Leicester the following day.

Daudia, of Lyme Road, Leicester, was assisted during the hearing by a Gujarati interpreter and spoke only to give his name and plea and confirm that he could hear the proceedings.

The father-of-two will appear for a further hearing on June 12 and face trial at the same court on June 26.

In a statement issued shortly after her death, Ms Daudia's family described her as a much-loved mother, daughter, sister and aunt who would be deeply missed.