Shropshire murder accused in court via video

A 58-year-old Shropshire man today appeared at Birmingham Crown Court accused of murdering three county men in 1994.

Robin Stanislaw Ligus made his second court appearance charged with the murders via a video link with HMP Woodhill in Buckinghamshire.

Ligus, of Monkmoor, Shrewsbury, is charged with murdering 53-year-old antiques dealer Trevor Bradley, of Sidney Road, Ludlow, between April 25 and April 28, 1994.

He is also accused of murdering 57-year-old Brian Coles, of Higher Heath, near Whitchurch, between October 10 and October 15, 1994, and murdering 36-year-old Bernard Czyzewska, of Shrewsbury, between November 18 and November 21 in the same year.

Mr Bradley's body was found in his burned out car in Melverley, near Oswestry, Mr Coles was found dead at his bungalow and the body of Mr Czyzewska was found in the River Severn in Shrewsbury.

The deaths of the three men have remained unsolved for the last 16 years. Ligus had appeared before magistrates in Birmingham yesterday, who adjourned the hearing to the crown court for today.

Judge William Davis QC, the recorder of Birmingham, today adjourned the case until January 10 next year for a plea and case management hearing.

A 48-year-old man also appeared before magistrates in Birmingham yesterday accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice during the investigation into Mr Bradley's death.