THE MAN ACCUSED of the murder and rape of Irish woman Jill Meagher in Melbourne, Australia, last October has pleaded not guilty to her murder.

Adrian Ernest Bayley, 41, was in court at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today when he entered his plea.

The Herald Sun is reporting that he also pleaded not guilty to two of the other three rape charges that he is facing.

He did, however, plead guilty to one charge of rape. The husband of the murdered woman, Tom Meagher, is believed to have stormed out of the courtroom following Bayley’s not guilty plea.

Bayley is next set to appear in the Supreme Court for a directions hearing on 25 March.

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Jill Meagher accused denies murder, pleads guilty to rape

Read: Jill Meagher accused faces two other assault charges >

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.