Man remanded on vet murder charge

The family of missing vet Catherine Gowing vowed to "bring her home" today as a man appeared in court charged with her murder.

Ms Gowing's sister, Emma, sat in the public gallery at Mold Magistrates' Court as Clive Sharp, 46, stood just yards away in the dock.

The defendant, of no fixed address, spoke only to give his name and date of birth and confirm that he understood the charge - that he murdered Ms Gowing in North Wales between October 11 and 17.

Emma Gowing, accompanied by her husband, Shay Maguire, and two police family liaison officers, leaned forward in her seat to get a closer view of Sharp, who fixed his gaze towards the magistrates' bench.

Bench chairman David Tapp remanded Sharp in custody to appear at Caernarfon Crown Court on Tuesday.

After the short hearing, Detective Inspector Iestyn Davies said on behalf of Ms Gowing's family: "Our primary concern and objective is that we find Catherine.

"The support we have received from the police, the public and all Catherine's friends and family has kept us going and will continue to do so.

"We will bring Catherine home."

Ms Gowing, 37, was reported missing after she failed to arrive at work at the Evans Veterinary Practice in Mold, North Wales, on Monday.

Police said yesterday that they had found her burned-out car in woodland close to a disused quarry and quarry pool, in Pinfold Lane, Alltami, about two miles from Ms Gowing's home in New Brighton, Flintshire.

Detectives say they have devoted "extensive" resources to the search, including dog teams and underwater search specialists.

The last confirmed sighting of Ms Gowing was at an Asda supermarket in Queensferry last Friday evening and officers have been scouring CCTV as they establish her movements.

Ms Gowing, who is originally from Clonlee, Co Offaly, in the Irish Republic, had worked at Evans Veterinary Practice in Mold for the last 18 months.

Anyone with information should call North Wales Police on 101.