A murder trial this morning continued without the man who is accused of bludgeoning a Hampshire grandmother to death after his prison van became caught up in a major traffic jam.

Matthew Hamlen was being transported to Winchester crown court from prison out of the county when his security van was caught up in the chaos between Chichester and Portsmouth.

The court was initially told that 33 year old Hamlen had said he was content for the case to sit without him this morning. His prison vehicle has not moved on the stretch of road now for more than an hour and a half, the court was told.

Hamlen, of Hamilton road in bishopstoke allegedly murdered 77 year old Georgina Edmonds at her home in Kiln Lane, Brambridge, on January 11 2008.

He denies the charge.

Proceeding.