THE MAN who killed Hampshire woman Joanna Yeates appeared in court today.

Vincent Tabak is charged with the unlawful killing of the 25-year-old, whose body was found on Christmas Day, on a country road near her Bristol home.

The 25-year-old former Embley Park pupil had been missing for a week before her body was found.

Her parents, David and Teresa Yeates, were at Bristol Crown Court for a pre-trial hearing for Vincent Tabak.

Tabak, a Dutch engineer, has admitted the manslaughter of Miss Yeates, a 25-year-old graduate, but denies her murder.

The charge states that Tabak ''unlawfully killed'' Miss Yeates between December 16 and December 19.

Tabak was escorted into the dock of courtroom six by four security guards.

The greying 33-year-old wore glasses, a white shirt, blue tie and grey suit for the 30 minute hearing before Judge Martin Picton.

Miss Yeates' parents sat in the second row of the public gallery and Mrs Yeates occasionally looked over her shoulder towards Tabak.

Det Chief Inspector Phil Jones, who led the Avon and Somerset investigation, sat behind the barristers but immediately in front of the defendant.

Tabak, who sat hunched in the dock, spoke only once.

The clerk asked him: ''Are you Vincent Tabak?'' He replied: ''Yes I am.''

The hearing was being held to finalise arrangements for the four-week trial, which is due to begin on October 4 before Mr Justice Field.

The case was adjourned until the trial and Tabak was remanded into custody.