Fourth suspect held over student murders

Police arrested a fourth man last night in connection with the murders of two French students in a bedsit in London. Daniel Sonnex, 23, was arrested in Peckham, in south-east London. Police had earlier issued an urgent appeal for information about his whereabouts.

Another man was remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with the murders. Nigel Farmer, 33, appeared at Greenwich magistrates' court yesterday morning accused of the murders of Laurent Bonomo and Gabriel Ferez, who were both 23.

The pair were discovered with nearly 250 stab wounds in a burnt-out flat in New Cross, south-east London, on 29 June. Mr Farmer was also charged with arson and trying to pervert the course of justice by burning the evidence. He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and to verify that he was of no fixed address. He replied "That's right," to each question.

At the end of the short court appearance, he was remanded in custody until 16 October, when he will appear at the Old Bailey. Mr Farmer is the only person so far to have been charged with the murders. As well as Mr Sonnex, two other people have been arrested in connection with the case. A 35-year-old man and a woman, aged 25, were arrested on Wednesday. They remain in custody.