A husband has been granted bail despite being accused of murdering his pregnant wife 20 years ago.
Mum-of-three Debbie Griggs, 34, was four-and-a-half months pregnant when she disappeared from her home in Walmer, Kent in 1999.
Her body has never been found.
On Tuesday, 20 years after his wife vanished, her husband Andrew Griggs was charged with her murder.
The 56-year-old, who lives in Dorset, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court today (Thurs) via video link from HMP Elmley to make a bail application.
The court heard he had “several health conditions” but granted him bail on a surety of £70,000.
Judge Bobbie Cheema-Grubb, laying out the conditions of bail, said: “There is an unusually long time between the offence and the trial for the defendant.
“I consider it is appropriate to grant bail in this case.
“He must live at his home address in Dorset – to live there means to live and sleep there.
“He will be required to to report to his local police station seven days a week between 10am and 12pm in the morning.
“He will be monitored by way of electronically monitored curfew – he will not be released until the equipment is set up in his home.
“A surety of £70,000 must be provided, which can be paid to the court today, and again he will not be released until that is paid.”
The judge also added a condition that Griggs not apply for any travel documents, surrender his current travel documenta, and contact any witnesses in the case.
Wearing a grey jumper, Griggs, a bald, heavy set man with slumped shoulders, remained expressionless throughout the hearing.
Griggs will next appear at the same court on April 9 to enter is plea, and a provisional trial date was set for September 9.
Grigg’s family, including his current wife and sons, appeared in court in support of him.
Debbie’s mum Patricia Cameron passed away in January without ever knowing her daughter’s fate.
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