A POLICE sergeant will go on trial today (Monday, March 5) accused of murdering his detective wife.

Leanne McKie, 39, a detective constable in the serious sexual offences unit at Greater Manchester Police (GMP), was found dead in a lake in Poynton Park, Cheshire, in the early hours of September 29 last year.

Her husband, Darren, 43, who also worked for GMP, was arrested shortly afterwards and charged with her murder at their home in Wilmslow, Cheshire.

McKie denies the murder of the mother-of-three, who has links to Chester, and has also pleaded not guilty to her manslaughter.

In a statement released after her death, Mrs McKie's parents, Raymond and Ellen, said: "Leanne was a beautiful and loving daughter and a wonderful mother to our three special grandchildren.

"She was the light of our lives and will be so sadly missed every day."

The trial will take place at Chester Crown Court before Mr Justice Spencer and is estimated to last three weeks.