A MAN is to stand trial charged with murdering his former lover in Renfrew and then putting her body in a bag.

Craig Walker, 40, is accused of killing Lauren Wilson at a flat in Cardon Square on May 26 last year.

It is claimed he repeatedly struck and stabbed 34-year-old Lauren with a knife on the head and body.

The murder charge further states that Walker compressed her neck and inflicted blunt force injuries by means unknown.

Walker is then accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice on the same date.

This includes claims he wrapped Lauren in sheets and tape before placing her in a large sports bag, with the "intention of disposing of her body."

Walker is also said to have sent messages from his former partner's phone, pretending to be her.

The Gazette: Lauren WilsonLauren Wilson

The indictment alleges he did all of this to "avoid detection, arrest and prosecution."

Addresses listed in this charge are the flat where the alleged murder took place, the Normandy Hotel, in Renfrew, and a house in Paisley.

Walker also faces an earlier allegation of being in unlawful possession of two knives on May 20 last year.

Thomas Ross, defending, pled not guilty on Walker's behalf during a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow today.

The QC described the case as "quite complicated."

Both he and prosecutor David Dickson agreed a trial date could be fixed.

Lord Doherty then set a trial date for March next year.