THE trial of Keith Cottingham, accused of the parcel bomb murder of a wealthy housewife 20 years ago, has been put back until January because he has been admitted to hospital.

In 1984 Barbara Harrold, 55, of The Street, Ightham, died after she opened a package that blasted airgun darts and nails into her stomach.

Last week a jury was sworn in and the case was due to start on Monday at the Old Bailey.

But today The Recorder of London, Judge Michael Hyam, discharged the 12 jurors for legal reasons.

On Tuesday the judge had told the jury that the defendant had been admitted to hospital.

Mr Cottingham, 70, denies the murder of Mrs Harrold on May 27, 1984. A new trial date has been set for January 17, 2005.