A CHEATING millionaire strangled his wife, bundled her body into his BMW, and drove to France after she started divorce proceedings, a court heard this week.

Derek Symmons, of 14 Lower Plantation, Loudwater, denies murdering his wife Christine.

A jury at St Albans Crown Court heard three weeks prior to Mrs Symmons' death the couple, married for 38 years, had begun a trial separation.

Symmons, 63, an electrical engineer, was living in the annex and Mrs Symmons, a hairdresser, were living in different parts of their property.

The couple's daughter Claire Songhurst told the court how her mother was due at her house at 5pm on Tuesday, September 5, 2005, to bath her new-born baby and put her to sleep.

She said: "Mum would come round at least five times a week to see the baby. She was never late."

When Mrs Symmons had not arrived by 6.15pm Mrs Songhurst tried to call her mobile and home phones, but got no response.

She called her father's mobile and he said: "I have done something terrible. You will never forgive me.

"I don't know whether to go to the police or take my own life."

For comprehensive coverage of the trial, which is expected to last for four weeks, see tomorrow's Watford Observer.