Man Denies Canterbury Murder

22 February 2010, 12:28 | Updated: 22 February 2010, 12:39

A man who was shot by armed police in a Canterbury supermarket hours before a woman's body was found in a bedsit has denied murdering her.

Tomas Uptas, 32, also denied having a BB gun with intent to cause fear of violence.

He was shot in the arm by police at a Morrisons store in Canterbury on November 26 last year.

In the early hours of the following morning the body of 46-year-old Loreta Raupiene was found in the bedsit she shared with Uptas, from Lithuania, at Ambassador Guest House in Victoria Road.

A post-mortem examination found Ms Raupiene, also Lithuanian, was strangled.

Uptas also denied attempted false imprisonment and will stand trial at Maidstone Crown Court on July 12.

The case may last as long as four weeks. Until then Tomas Uptas is being remanded in custody.