Man shot by police faces murder trial

A Lithuanian man who was shot by armed officers in a supermarket hours before a woman's body was found will go on trial today charged with her murder.

Tomas Uptas, 32, was also charged with possessing a BB firearm with intent to cause fear of violence after the incident where he was shot in the arm by a police marksman at a Morrisons store in Canterbury, Kent, on November 26 last year.

Hours later, in the early hours of the following morning, the body of 46-year-old Loreta Raupiene was found in the bedsit she shared with Uptas at the Ambassador Guest House in Victoria Road in the city.

A post-mortem examination found Ms Raupiene, who was also Lithuanian, had been strangled.

Uptas also pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempted false imprisonment when he appeared in court in February.

He is in custody and will stand trial at Maidstone Crown Court from 10.30am.