Man remanded over Southsea beach body murder

A 46-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a man whose torso was found wrapped in a bin liner on a popular tourist beach.

David Hilder, of Richmond Road, Southsea, was charged by Hampshire Police yesterday in connection with the death of 30-year-old David Guy.

The body of Mr Guy, who was of no fixed address but who lived in Southsea, Portsmouth, was found without its head, arms or legs on a beach in the city by a group of foreign students on July 3.

Hilder, who was charged following consultation between Hampshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address during the short hearing at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court.

District Judge Anne Arnold remanded Hilder, who was wearing dark trousers, a white polo shirt and a blue jumper, into custody and adjourned the case for a hearing at Winchester Crown Court on Thursday.

Mr Guy's torso was found on a beach in Southsea on July 3, wrapped in a pink curtain and a black bin liner. His lower body was discovered nearby last Friday.

Detectives have been carrying out forensic searches of a flat in Richmond Road as well as a neighbouring disused petrol station.

Further searches are also being carried out at an allotment in Locksway Road, Portsmouth.

Police have appealed to the public for information about the pink Wilkinson curtains as well as a distinctive black delivery bike.

The investigating team is continuing to ask for anyone with information to contact the force by phoning 101, quoting Operation Nimbus.

PA