A CLEANER denied murdering his fiancé in a tent at a seaside holiday park more than two years ago.
Christopher Cole, 30, pleaded not guilty to murdering Sarah Clayton three weeks after the couple were engaged.
The body of 21-year-old Sarah Clayton, a former Butlin's worker, was discovered in a tent at Buckle Holiday Park in Seaford on Sunday, May 13, 2018.
Mr Cole was arrested on bonfire night last year following an 18-month police investigation.
His trial was fixed for June 7 this year following a short hearing at Lewes Crown Court.
After her body was discovered, the family of Sarah Clayton, from Yapton, said she would be greatly missed.
Police at the campsite
In a statement released to Sussex Police, her family said: “We are all devastated by the sudden loss of our loving daughter Sarah.
“She was an exceptionally caring young woman who loved life.
“Sarah was happy and bubbly with an infectious giggle, and would do anything to help others.”
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Friend, Becky Sheppard, paid tribute to Sarah Clayton at the time.
She said: “She was the best mum, a wonderful mum, to her little girl.
'When I saw the news that the body of a 21-year-old woman had been found I had this instinct.
“I just knew it was her.”
The trial is expected to last three weeks.
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