A MAN today denied murdering Pennie Davis who was stabbed to death in the New Forest.

Mrs Davis, 47, a shop worker from Blackfield, suffered multiple stab wounds in a paddock near Beaulieu on September 2.

Justin Robertson, 36, of no fixed abode, denied the charge and also an allegation of conspiracy to murder Mrs Davis between August 19 and September 3.

Samantha Maclean, 28, unemployed, of Beech Crescent, Hythe, also pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to murder.

Leanne Doyle, 24, of Beech Crescent, Hythe, was also in court at Winchester this morning.

She is accused of assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice.

Her counsel Charles Gabb asked for Doyle not to be arraigned as he will be making an application in the New Year to dismiss the assisting an offender charge.

A fourth defendant, Ben Carr, 22, scaffolder, of Edward Road, Shirley, Southampton, did not appear in court because of an administrative mix-up.

He is accused of conspiracy to murder. The judge Mr Justice Griffiths Williams agreed the charge could be put to him at the start of the trial.

His counsel David Emanuel said he would plead not guilty to the charge.

The trial at Winchester Crown Court has been listed for Monday March 2 2015. The trial is due to last four weeks.

After a 40-minute hearing the three defendants present were remanded in custody. There were no applications for bail.