Partner of children’s author Helen Bailey denies murdering her after the writer's body was found in a septic tank at their £1.2million mansion 

  • Ian Stewart, 55, denied murder at a hearing today
  • The body of the popular author was found in the grounds of their home in Royston, Hertfordshire, in July
  • She was the author of the Electra Brown and Daisy Davenport books
  • Mr Stewart also denied fraud, preventing the lawful burial of a body and charges of perverting the course of justice 

By Dave Burke For Mailonline

Published: 14:19 EST, 12 October 2016 | Updated: 15:09 EST, 12 October 2016

The partner of a popular children's author has pleaded not guilty to her murder.

Ian Stewart, 55, is accused of killing writer Helen Bailey, who created the Electra Brown and Daisy Davenport books.

He appeared at St Albans Crown Court to enter the plea.

Mr Stewart was arrested in July by officers searching the grounds of the £1.2 million pound home in Royston, Hertfordshire, which he and the 51-year-old writer shared.

Mr Stewart with partner Helen Bailey, whose body was discovered in the grounds of their home in Hertfordshire

Mr Stewart with partner Helen Bailey, whose body was discovered in the grounds of their home in Hertfordshire

Miss Bailey's body was discovered by police in July this year

Miss Bailey's body was discovered by police in July this year

Her body was discovered in a septic tank at the house along with her pet dog, a dachshund called Boris.

Miss Bailey had been reported missing by her partner on April 15 this year. He said she had gone missing from their home four days earlier.

In court today Mr Stewart, a computer expert, pleaded not guilty to fraud, preventing the lawful and decent burial of a dead body, two offences of doing an act tending or intended to pervert the course of public justice and one offence of doing acts intended or intended to pervert the course of public justice.

Mr Stewart will go on trial early next year and was remanded in custody.

 The couple met through a Facebook group for bereavement in 2011 which Mr Stewart joined following the death of his wife Diane from an epileptic fit in 2010.

Miss Bailey’s husband of 22 years, John Sinfield drowned in 2011 during a holiday in Barbados.

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