Man appears in court charged with cab driver's murder

A 61-year-old man appeared in court today charged with murdering a taxi driver, police confirmed.

Colin Cheetham appeared before Derby Magistrates' Court accused of murdering 43-year-old taxi driver Stuart Ludlam, who was found shot dead in the back of his cab two weeks ago.

Cheetham, of Ripley, Derbyshire, was arrested on Sunday. He did not enter a plea today and was remanded into custody.

He will next appear at Nottingham Crown Court. A date has not yet been fixed.

Mr Ludlam, a father-of-three, of Darley Dale, Derbyshire, was found dead in his silver Ford Focus estate at about 12.40pm on Thursday, September 17.

The car had been parked in a road close to Cromford railway station, just south of Matlock.

Derbyshire Constabulary said nine people are also on bail, having been questioned in connection with Mr Ludlam's death.