Former doorman faces court over Milly murder

A former nightclub doorman appeared in court today accused of murdering teenager Milly Dowler eight years ago.

Levi Bellfield is alleged to have kidnapped the 13-year-old schoolgirl in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, as she walked home from a train station.

Prosecutors claim he then killed her and dumped her body in Yateley Heath, Hampshire.

Bellfield, who is also accused of attempting to kidnap Rachel Cowles, then aged 12, the day before Milly went missing, appeared at Guildford Crown Court, Surrey, by video link.

The 41-year-old, who was clean-shaven and wearing a navy blue Nike jumper, spoke only to confirm his identity and to say that he could hear proceedings during the five-minute preliminary hearing.

Bellfield, formerly of West Drayton, Middlesex, was remanded in custody.

He will next appear at The Old Bailey on July 28 to enter pleas to the murder, kidnap and attempted kidnapping charges.

Amanda Dowler, who was known to her family as Milly, disappeared on March 21 2002 as she returned home from school.

Her remains were found by mushroom pickers six months later, in a little-used area of woodland some 30 miles away.