Dad of missing Peterborough teenager Bernadette Walker pleads not guilty to murder

Sarah Walker (37), and Scott Walker (50), both of Century Square in Millfield, appeared at St Albans Crown Court via video link this morning.

Scott is charged with murder and two counts of perverting the course of justice, while Sarah faces two counts of perverting the course of justice.

Sarah Walker is expected to be asked to enter pleas within the next four weeks.Sarah had previously been charged with Bernadette’s murder, but she no longer faces that charge.

It is alleged that between July 18 and September 12 they perverted the course of justice by the sending of messages from Bernadette Walker’s phone, giving the impression she was alive.

It is also claimed that on July 21, they provided false information to police relating to their daughter’s disappearance.

A trial has been fixed for June 21 at Cambridge Crown Court with a time estimate of two to three weeks.

Bernadette (19) was last seen in July in Peterborough.

Bernadette’s body has not been found, but police believe she has been killed. She was reported missing on 21 July by her parents after she had not been seen for three days.

Since Bernadette’s disappearance police have carried out extensive searches in land in Peterborough and surrounding countryside in Cowbit, but her body has never been found.

There are currently no searches taking place, with Cambridgeshire police saying the last searches took place near Etton in mid-December.

The police spokesman said: “While there may not be any active searches at present, the investigation is very much live and police are working with partner agencies who are assisting in the search for Bernadette.”