Man remanded over body in suitcase murder

An IT specialist was remanded in custody today after appearing in court charged with the murder of a woman whose body was found dumped in a suitcase on farmland.

Care worker Leah Questin's remains were discovered in the case on land off Buckland Road in Cliffe, near Rochester, Kent, on September 24.

Clinton Bailey, 35, of Malpas Road, Brockley, south-east London, was charged with her murder last night following his arrest at an address in Lewisham on Tuesday.

Bailey appeared at Hendon Magistrates' Court and was remanded in custody until a hearing at the Old Bailey on January 8 next year.

Philippines-born Ms Questin, 37, was reported missing by a friend overnight on September 16/17 after last being seen at her home in Sneyd Road, near Cricklewood, north-west London.

The suitcase was found in a dried-up pond, known locally as the Old Pond, by a dog walker, who reported it to police.

The discovery was initially investigated by Kent Police but was taken over by the Metropolitan Police when it was found Ms Questin was from London.