Trial underway of Police Inspector accused of murder

Darren McKie, 44, denies murdering wife Leanne in the Autumn last year.

Mr McKie was working at the time as a Police Inspector with Greater Manchester Police (GMP). Leanne also worked with GMP, as a detective constable in the serious sexual offences unit.

Her body was found in Poynton Lake in September, and Darren was arrested on suspicion of her murder a short while later.

The trial began at Chester Crown Court on Monday, and has been hearing evidence from the prosecution about the day Mr McKie was arrested, and the family's financial issues.

The court has heard that on the day of his arrest, police officers found a pair of blood stained trainers in a wheelie bin, near to the McKie's home in Wilmslow.

DNA tests confirmed that the blood on the footwear was that of Mrs McKie, and it is alleged that Mr McKie was seen walking in the vicinity of where the evidence was found, earlier on the day of his arrest.

Other details that have emerged are the extraordinary amount of debt the couple had built up, to the point where it is claimed it had spiraled out of control.

In the last few months of her life, Leanne and Darren had spent nearly £60,000 more than their joint income, with a luxury holiday in Portugal and improvements to their home being some of the expenses racked up.

The prosecution alleges that Darren killed Leanne after she discovered he had applied for a £58,000 loan in her name, without her consent.

Mr McKie denies murdering his wife. The trial continues.