Man to stand trial charged with murdering sex worker

A 47-year-old man will stand trial charged with the murder of Thai sex worker Nuttidar Vaikaew in Auckland earlier this year.

Lawyers for Gordon Hieatt conceded he had a case to answer at the end of a two-day depositions hearing at Auckland District Court today.

When asked for a plea, Hieatt told the court "not guilty to the charge of murder".

Hieatt was remanded in custody until a callover date next month.

The decomposing body of Ms Vaikaew, known as Sky, was found by police at her Western Springs apartment on May 12.