Man remanded over millionaire's murder

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of wealthy London businessman Amarjit Chohan.

Peter Douglas Rees, 38, from Portsmouth, Hampshire, was remanded into custody to appear at the Old Bailey on 23 May, following the 10 minute hearing at West London Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

Mr Chohan, 46, went missing with his wife Nancy, 25, their two young sons and Mrs Chohan's mother on 16 February.

The haulage boss's body was discovered near Bournemouth pier on 22 April.

The rest of the family, from Hounslow, west London, are still missing.

Mrs Chohan, her sons Devinder and Ravinder, and her mother Charanjit Kaur, 51, have not been seen for two-and-a-half months.

Mr Rees, who was arrested on Wednesday, is also charged with preventing, or conspiring to prevent the lawful and decent burial of a dead body.

Dressed in a white and navy blue T-shirt and jeans, the defendant looked down at the ground throughout most of the hearing while relatives of the Chohan family listened to proceedings from the public gallery.

He spoke only to confirm his name, age and address, before being led away by three security guards. No application for bail was made.