Two remanded on Carole Waugh murder charge

Two men were remanded in custody today when they made their first appearance in court charged with the murder of oil executive Carole Waugh.

Rakesh Bhayani, 40, and Nicholas Kutner, 47, who have already been charged with fraud offences linked to the disappearance of the 50-year-old, appeared by video-link at Croydon Magistrates' Court.

Kutner, in a blue T-shirt, and Bhayani, wearing a red polo shirt and glasses, spoke only to confirm their names and dates of birth during the brief hearing.

Miss Waugh's body was found with a single stab wound inside a car in a lock-up garage in Lime Court, New Malden, south west London, on August 2.

She was reported missing by her family on May 7 and had not been seen since mid-April.

She lived in London but was originally from Durham.

Unemployed Bhayani, of Chamberlayne Avenue, Wembley, north west London, is already due to appear in court next month on three charges of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation worth about £280,000, following transactions associated with Miss Waugh's identity.

Kutner, of no fixed address, was originally arrested on suspicion of murder and kidnap on August 1.

He also faces two charges relating to renting Miss Waugh's property at Tressard Court in Marylebone, central London, and one of unlawfully withdrawing funds from her bank account.

He is also facing a fraud charge after being accused of pretending to be Chris Waugh, Miss Waugh's brother, in a bid to sell her London home.

The pair, who were appearing from Wandsworth Prison in south London, were remanded in custody to appear for a plea and case management hearing at the Old Bailey on November 22.

PA