Triple Shropshire murder case is adjourned

The case of a 58-year-old Shropshire man charged with murdering three men in the county almost 17 years ago was adjourned today for further psychiatric inquiries to be completed.

Robin Stanislaw Ligus is alleged to have killed Brian Coles, Trevor Bradley and Bernard Czyzewska in Shropshire over a seven-month period in 1994.

Today he made a further appearance at Birmingham Crown Court via a video link with Woodhill Prison in Buckinghamshire where he is being held on remand.

A heavily-bearded Ligus spoke only to confirm his name and that he understood the court proceedings during the 30-minute hearing.

Defence counsel Mr Tim Harrington applied for the plea and management hearing to be adjourned to allow the completion of reports by three psychiatric experts to determine if the defendant is fit to stand his trial.

Judge William Davis QC agreed to the adjournment and remanded Ligus in custody until April 18.

Ligus is charged with killing 53-year-old Mr Bradley, from Ludlow, who was found dead in a burnt-out car near Melverley, between March 25 and April 28, 1994.

He is also accused of murdering 57-year-old Mr Coles, who was found dead at his home in Heathwood Road, Higher Heath, between October 10 and 15, 1994, and 36-year-old Mr Czyzewska, from Harlescott, Shrewsbury, whose body was found in the River Severn, in November 1994.

The charges against Ligus, formerly of Monkmoor, Shrewsbury, follow a cold case review.