A MAN will stand trial after denying the murder of his wife.

Ray Hoadley, 62, is accused of killing his wife Jackie, 58, at a property in Broad Oak Close, Eastbourne.

Jackie’s body was found at the property on July 5 after police were called.

Crime scene investigators attended the home and detectives launched Operation Maytree, a murder investigation.

Jackie was a prominent disabled rights campaigner, her petition calling on better provision for the disabled garnered more than 100,000 signatures.

Former Eastbourne MP Stephen Lloyd was among those to express shock at the news.

“To hear this awful news out of the blue is just appalling,” he said.

The news caused shock in the community after it was revealed Jackie had been found unconscious.

Neighbour Vicki Tester said she had seen police cars and ambulance at the house on the Sunday afternoon.

She said: “They are a lovely family, I don’t really know what’s gone on.”

Hoadley was arrested at the Chailey Foundation in July and appeared before Lewes Crown Court on Friday, the Daily Mail reported.

During the hearing he wore a black sweatshirt and dark trousers, and replied “not guilty” after the murder charge was read out.

A trial is listed for January, the court was told. It is expected to last for ten days.