Murder charge over garden remains

Police sealed off the garden after the discovery

A man from Essex has been charged with murder after the discovery of human remains in the back garden of a house in Buckie, Moray .

John Clive Dean, 35, from Southend-on-Sea appeared in private at Elgin Sheriff Court.

He made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody.

The head and skeleton of 42-year-old Michael Munro was discovered in the garden at Low Street in Buckie more than three weeks ago.

Michael Munro lived in the flat

He had been missing for a year.

Procurator fiscal David Dickson said Dean faced one charge of murder and one charge of perverting the course of justice.

He was remanded in custody and is expected to appear before the court again in one week's time.

The charges follow the discovery earlier this month of a skull in the garden of 6b Low Street, Buckie, Moray, by a tenant who was digging the area.

Grampian Police launched a search of the property and found a skeleton close to the spot where the skull was discovered.

Last Friday the remains were identified as those of Michael Munro, 42, who was reported missing in April 2000 and was a former resident at the address.