Adelaide doctor Jeremy Chipchase with his daughter India. Source: Facebook
Camera IconAdelaide doctor Jeremy Chipchase with his daughter India. Source: Facebook Credit: Supplied

Man denies rape, murder of India Chipchase in UK

Steve RiceThe Advertiser

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A BOOKKEEPER raped and murdered the daughter of a highly respected Adelaide doctor after she went missing on a night out in the UK, prosecutors claim.

Edward Tenniswood appeared in Northampton Crown Court by video link on Friday over the death of India Chipchase — the daughter of obstetrician and gynaecologist Jeremy Chipchase.

Tenniswood, 52, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ms Chipchase, 20, who was last seen leaving a Northampton nightclub about 1.15am on January 30 this year.

Court sketch of Edward Tenniswood, who is charged with the murder and rape of India Chipchase in Northampton, UK. Source: Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire
Camera IconCourt sketch of Edward Tenniswood, who is charged with the murder and rape of India Chipchase in Northampton, UK. Source: Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire Credit: AAP

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He also pleaded not guilty to a new charge of rape during a five-minute appearance from Woodhill prison in Milton Keynes.

Judge Rupert Mayo remanded Tenniswood in custody ahead of his two-week trial starting in July.

A coronial inquest, held in February, heard that a post-mortem found Ms Chipchase died from “pressure to the neck”.

India Chipchase, the daughter of Adelaide doctor Jeremy Chipchase, was alleged murdered in Northampton, in the UK.
Camera IconIndia Chipchase, the daughter of Adelaide doctor Jeremy Chipchase, was alleged murdered in Northampton, in the UK. Credit: Supplied

Her body was found inside Tenniswood’s rundown terrace home, about 1.5km from the club, the day after she disappeared.

Northamptonshire Police had forced their way in by breaking down the front door. Tenniswood was arrested elsewhere in the town.

The police force has referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission over its responses before and during the search for Ms Chipchase.

It has been reported that Ms Chipchase was turned away from the nightclub because she was too drunk to enter.

Ms Chipchase worked as a barmaid at the Collingtree pub, where flowers were left as a tribute after her death.

She was privately educated at Pitsford School and was awarded a diploma in health and social care at Northampton College.

Her father, Dr Chipchase, has lived in Adelaide for a decade and published respected journals in the management of spontaneous miscarriages.

He is a senior doctor at Lyell McEwin Hospital’s obstetrics and gynaecology department and, among other roles, teaches and supervisors junior doctors in his field.

Miss Chipchase’s brother, Harry, is a popular former Underdale High School student who has moved back to the UK to live with his mother and sisters Pia, 15, and Honor, 11.

The tragedy made front-page news in Britain and Ms Chipchase’s boyfriend, professional rugby player Evaan Reihana, told The Sun that he would dedicate his career to her.