Sir Richard, 83, was stabbed to death at his home in Higher Langham, near Gillingham in Dorset, on April 7.

       His partner, Anne Schreiber, was also stabbed in the same drama.

       Thomas Schreiber, 34, appeared in the dock at Winchester Crown Court. He spoke only to confirm his name and deny murdering Sir Richard and the attempted murder of his mother.

       He also denied one count of dangerous driving on the night of the attack.

       Sir Richard, who was one of Britain's richest men, owned a huge portfolio of hotels, property and farms across the country. He had two children, David, 61, and Caroline, 55, by his first wife Fiamma, and five grandchildren.

       Mrs Schreiber, 65, is a Danish-born physiotherapist who has a practice in Milborne Port, Dorset. She has three grown-up children.

       During the plea hearing, prosecutor Adam Feest QC revealed that Mrs Schreiber — who was left in a critical condition — has recovered from her injuries enough to provide investigators with a DNA sample.

       He also told the court forensic evidence was still being worked on. Psychiatric reports are being prepared for Schreiber, from Gillingham.

       Judge Angela Morris adjourned the case until a scheduled further case management hearing on October 8.

       A provisional trial date has been set for November 29.