A 92-year-old man has denied raping and murdering a woman 57 years ago.
Louisa Dunne, 75, was found strangled on her living room floor on Brittania Road in Easton, Bristol, on 28 June 1967.
Ryland Headley, of Clarence Road in Ipswich, appeared at Bristol Crown Court earlier after being arrested and charged with rape and murder in November 2024.
Both crimes allegedly took place between 26 June and 29 June 1967, when Mr Headley would have been in his 30s, the court heard.
The judge, Mr Justice Sweeting, told members of the prospective jury panel of the “serious” nature of the case.
“It involves an allegation of rape and an allegation of murder.
“It is important that the jury decide the case simply on the evidence presented in court,” he said.
Anna Vigars KC and Ramin Pakrooh are appearing for the prosecution, while Jeremy Benson KC and Abigail Bright will defend Mr Headley.
The trial is expected to last three weeks.
