TAXI driver Christopher Halliwell is set to appear in court today for a further hearing in the Sian O’Callaghan murder case.

Halliwell, who stands accused of killing the 22-year-old more than a year ago, is set to make an appearance for the hearing, which Bristol Crown Court confirmed had been listed for the morning session.

The mini-cab driver, 48, of Ashbury Avenue, Nythe, last appeared in court in May when he formally pleaded not guilty to murder.

It comes more than 18 months after office worker Sian was last seen alive leaving Suju nightclub, in High Street, Old Town, on March 19 last year.

The disappearance sparked a major missing persons hunt and hundreds of volunteers turned out at Savernake Forest to help in the search, but police later found Sian’s body at Uffington, Oxfordshire, on March 24.

At its peak, 150 police officers were involved in the investigation and the family paid emotional public tributes.

The inquiry sparked a mass outpouring of grief and led to several vigils and memorials for popular local girl Sian, with mourners turning out in their hundreds for her funeral procession through the town.

Members of her family were expected to be in court for the hearing. Restrictions on what can be reported from preliminary hearings have been put in place by a judge.