The man accused of murdering Christchurch man Michael McGrath has been denied bail and will stay in prison until his trial in 15-months time.
In September, David Benbow, 51, was charged with the murder of the 49-year-old builder who vanished from his Halswell home in May 2017.
The former prison guard denied the charges and applied to be bailed until his three-week trial, which is set to begin on February 9, 2021.
On Friday, Justice Gerald Nation refused the application, which was made on October 24.
After the bail application was refused, Benbow's lawyer Margaret Sewell applied for a new bail application - one which would involve electronic monitoring.
A date for that bail hearing has not yet been set.
Mr McGrath's disappearance sparked a more than two-year investigation after he vanished, leaving behind his 1994 Subaru Legacy car and push bike.
His body has never been recovered, in spite of extensive searches.
Court documents said he is charged with murder using a firearm.
Benbow will next appear in the High Court at Christchurch on December 13, for a call-over hearing.
