Charlotte murder appeal adjourned

Charlotte Pinkney disappeared in February 2004

An appeal by the man serving life for the murder of Devon teenager Charlotte Pinkney has been adjourned until June.

Scaffolder Nicholas Rose, 24, was found guilty in February last year and sentenced to at least 20 years for murdering Charlotte, 16, in Ilfracombe.

The teenager vanished in February 2004, but her body has never been found.

The Appeal Court on London adjourned the hearing to allow Rose's lawyers to investigate claims that she was seen alive when he was in custody.

Sex argument

Rose, of Cairn Road, Ilfracombe, Devon, was jailed for life at Exeter Crown Court.

The Crown claimed Rose murdered the teenager, probably during an argument over sex, after a party.

Rose was granted permission to challenge the verdict, on grounds including complaints relating to whether certain evidence should have gone before the jury and in relation to the judge's summing up.

On Tuesday, Lord Justice Tuckey, Mr Justice Beatson and Recorder of Bristol Judge Tom Crowther QC, adjourned the hearing for Rose's lawyers to carry out further investigations.