Former bouncer and wheelclamper Levi Bellfield is set to go on trial next May accused of the murder of Walton schoolgirl Milly Dowler.

Bellfield, 42, formerly of West Drayton in west London, faces two charges of the kidnapping and murder of Milly Dowler.

He faces a further charge of the attempted kidnapping of Shepperton schoolgirl Rachel Cowles the day before Milly went missing on March 21, 2002.

He appeared for a brief hearing at the Old Bailey this morning via video link, where Duncan Atkinson for the Crown informed the court the earliest trial date was set for Thursday, May 5.

Bellfield only spoke to confirm his name to the court’s clerk.

He has yet to enter a plea to the charges.

Milly Dowler went missing while walking home from Heathside School in Weybridge.

Her remains were found in woodlands in Yateley Heath, Hampshire, six months later.