The murder trial of 45-year-old Costas Antoniou will resume on January 7 at the British bases court, it emerged on Tuesday.

Dhekelia police sources told the Cyprus News Agency that Antoniou will remain in custody as he faces murder charges for the killing of Charalambos Constantinides, aged 52, from Paralimni.

Antoniou denies charges of premeditated murder and chose to have his case heard in a bases court rather than one of the Republic of Cyprus.

He told bases police he had financial differences with Constantinides.

During the initial investigation, Antoniou admitted to shooting Constantinides in the head with a hunting rifle. The incident occurred after an argument over money.

The murder took place on the night of June 25 at around 11pm at an autobody paint shop in Ormidia.