Three in court over refugee death

Mrs Zaudy had lived alone since the death of her husband in the 1960s

Three people have appeared in court charged over the murder of a German World War II refugee.

The charred remains of Thea Zaudy, 94, from Notting Hill Gate, west London, were found in Milton Common, near Thame, Oxon, on 13 July.

Jolanta Kalinowska was charged with murder, and Monika Sienkiewicz and Adrian Ryszard Laz with assisting her.

The suspects, from Ealing, appeared at Oxford Magistrates Court and were remanded in custody.

They are due to appear at Oxford Crown Court on 27 July.

'Put in suitcase'

Mrs Zaudy could not be identified for days after her burned remains were found next to a suitcase, thought to have been used to transport the body, police said.

Mrs Zaudy's relatives, who live abroad, said in a statement: "Thea fled Germany in 1939 and came to Britain where she met and married her husband, Karl.

"She helped him run a carpet shop which she continued to run by herself after his death.

"She then worked for another 13 years at a large department store in London, finally retiring at the age of 74."