Former Bermuda prosecutor Lloyd Rayney — named by Police in Australia as prime suspect in the murder of his wife — has had a charge relating to alleged telephone bugging amended.

Corryn Rayney, 44, a Supreme Court Registrar, was last seen on the night of August 7 at a "bootscooting" dance class. Her body was discovered in a grave in a park in her hometown of Perth, Western Australia, on August 16.

Mr. Rayney, 45, who is a prominent Perth lawyer, lived in Bermuda with his wife from 2003 to 2004, when he worked as a senior Crown counsel. According to the West Australian newspaper, he appeared in the Perth Magistrate's Court yesterday charged under Western Australia (WA) law over the alleged bugging of telephones at the family home he shared with Mrs. Rayney — from whom he was estranged — and their two daughters.

Yesterday, prosecutors dismissed the WA charge and instead charged him with one count of intercepting communications passing over a telecommunications system under the Commonwealth Interception and Access Act.

Mr. Rayney's lawyer, Paul O'Brien, sought an adjournment. Mr. Rayney's bail was extended and he is due to re-appear in court in December.

Police allegedly uncovered electronic devices used to record telephone conversations at the Rayney family home in Perth when they raided it on September 9.

Later that day, major crime Detective Senior Sergeant Jack Lee said Mr. Rayney was the prime suspect in the murder of his wife. Mr. Rayney released a statement shortly after the Police raided his house denying any involvement in the matter, and has not been charged over his wife's murder.