A MAN who is alleged to have murdered his wife days before reporting her missing was "blasé" and "calm" as he spoke to police, a court has heard.

Pierre Legris, who stands accused of murdering Poole nurse Rui Li, visited Bournemouth Police Station on Tuesday, May 27 last year to report the 44-year-old missing, it is alleged.

Giving evidence at Winchester Crown Court this morning, enquiry desk officer Stephen Coward said the defendant had walked into the station at about 7.40am.

Prosecutors allege that the 61-year-old murdered his wife on the evening of Friday, May 23.

Mr Coward said: "[Pierre Legris] appeared visibly relaxed and blasé about it.

"He said [Ms Li] often changed shifts at the hospital and sometimes works at a nursing home."

When Mr Coward asked Pierre Legris if he was going to the hospital to see if staff there had seen Ms Li, it is alleged that the defendant replied: "Why?" before adding: "No, I'm going to work".

Mr Coward told jurors: "I remember saying that if he was concerned enough to report his wife missing, it was a prudent step for him to go to the hospital."

Asked how he had perceived Pierre Legris' mood, Mr Coward said: "He was very calm.

"He wasn't agitated in any way and there was no urgency about making a report."

A statement written by Peter Harwood on June 6 last year was also read aloud to jurors.

Mr Harwood visited Pierre Legris' garage, Cromer Motors, as a customer at around 11.50am on that Tuesday.

He alleged that he was told by Pierre Legris' son Jonathan that "dad's girlfriend had gone missing".

Speaking to Pierre Legris on the phone later that day, Mr Harwood alleged: "I said, 'I'm sorry to hear about your girlfriend'.

"He replied in a nonchalant manner, 'These things happen'."

Cross-examining Mr Coward, Kaly Kaul, representing Pierre Legris, said: "People in shock behave in different ways.

"Some can cry and be emotional. Others may appear to go through the motions of their life trying to hang onto normality."

Mr Coward said: "I would say that's true."

The semi-clothed body of Ms Li was found in the back of a Punto parked in Verwood Crescent on Friday, May 30.

She had died as the result of blunt force trauma to the head.

Pierre Legris, of Burnham Drive, admits bigamy and denies murder.

Jonathan Legris, 27, of Spring Road, denies conspiracy to commit murder and assisting an offender.

Irene Smith, 66, of St Clement's Road, denies conspiracy to commit murder and two counts of perverting the course of justice.