Farm-hand held over mother's death

A farm worker charged with murdering his elderly mother was remanded in custody when he appeared in court yesterday.

Magistrates at Yeovil, Somerset, remanded Peter Pitman, 46, of Priory Farm, Charlton Mackrell, near Somerton, until Thursday. Mr Pitman lived at the farm with his 75-year-old mother Janet, who suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. The body of Mrs Pitman, who had been shot, was found in a field near her home on Friday.