Man in court over family killing

A 36-year-old man appeared in court today charged with the murders of his wife and their three children.

Rahan Arshad was accused of murdering his wife Usma Rahan, 32, sons Adam, 11, Abbas, 8, and six-year-old daughter Henna. Their bodies were found at the family home in Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire, on August 20.

He appeared before magistrates in Stockport and was remanded in custody.

The bodies were found after neighbours noticed a smell coming from the house on Tumes Road.

Post-mortem examinations revealed all four died from head injuries and may have lain undiscovered for up to four weeks.

Arshad was arrested on Friday at Heathrow Airport on his return from Bangkok, Thailand.

Wearing a blue jumper, he spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

No plea was entered and no application for bail was made.

He will reappear on Monday, September 11 at Crown Square Crown Court in Manchester.

Speaking outside court, his solicitor Rizvam Anwar read a statement on Arshad's behalf.

"These are very difficult times for me and my family and I ask the media to respect the privacy of my family at these difficult times," he said.