THE trial of a sub-postmaster accused of murdering his wife will begin almost a year to the day after the alleged killing took place.

Robin Joseph Garbutt, 45, will appear at Teesside Crown Court on March 21 next year to be tried for the murder of his wife Diana, 40.

Mr Garbutt denies killing his wife at the post office and store they ran together in Melsonby, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, on March 23 this year.

The trial was due to start yesterday.

However, Mr Justice Calvert-Smith agreed last week to postpone the start of the trial for more tests to be carried out on a possible murder weapon.

A 58cm bar was found on a high wall near the post office two days after the alleged murder.

It emerged at a previous hearing that minute samples of Mrs Garbutt’s DNA had been found on the bar, along with traces of an unknown male’s DNA.

Mr Garbutt, wearing a grey suit, dark tie and white shirt, spoke only to confirm his name at a three-minute hearing yesterday.

The sub-postmaster was supported by a number of family members in the public gallery.

The judge apologised for the delay to the start of the trial, but said it was unavoidable.

Mr Garbutt had been kept in custody until last week’s hearing.

However, he was released on bail from Holme House Prison, Stockton, last Tuesday.

He was again released on bail yesterday.

The court heard that he will live outside the area.

The body of Mrs Garbutt was found in the living quarters of the post office by paramedics who were called at about 8.30am.

A post-mortem examination revealed that she had suffered serious head injuries.

Police initially said there had been an armed robbery at the store.

They appealed for information to catch a man wearing a balaclava and carrying a gun, who had made off with a large amount of money.

But Mr Garbutt was arrested after a three-week investigation by detectives.