A MAN who denies murdering his partner at a Christchurch flat has had an application for bail rejected.

Daniel Raymond O’Malley-Keyes, 38, appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Tuesday for an unsuccessful bail application hearing.

He pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder in September. O'Malley-Keyes was charged after the death of Sharon Perrett, 37, in the early hours of Sunday, August 26.

Police were called to reports of a casualty in Park Gardens, Somerford at around 2.45am. Ms Perrett was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination has indicated the cause of her death as blunt force trauma to her head, neck and chest.

Prosecutors allege O’Malley-Keyes murdered Ms Perrett between August 24 and 27.

Investigators believe Ms Perrett may have been out drinking in Christchurch on the evening before she died.

O'Malley-Keyes will appear at Winchester for a pre-trial review in December.