A MURDER suspect has appeared in court over videolink, charged with the killing of his great uncle.

Adam Mason appeared over videolink before judge Robert Juckes QC at Worcester Crown Court yesterday, charged with the murder of a Droitwich pensioner.

The 32-year-old of Plough Lane, Tibberton, Droitwich, was asked to confirm his name over the link following the death of 80-year-old Desmond Wooding.

The pensioner was found dead at his home in Vines Lane on June 24 . Mason was arrested and charged with murder on July 10.

Andrew Wallace, prosecuting, said: "This is a case of murder, in for a preliminary hearing."

He described Mr Wooding as having died as a result of a 'brutal stabbing' on Sunday, July 23. He referred to Mr Wooding as the 'great uncle' of the defendant.

Mason is expected to enter a plea at the next hearing at Worcester Crown Court on August 12.

Nicholas Berry, for Mason, made no application for bail on his behalf.

Judge Juckes ordered that the defendant be produced at the court for the next hearing rather than appearing over the videolink, remanding him in custody in the meantime.

A second man arrested for assisting an offender by impeding his apprehension or prosecution in a case of murder has been released on police bail.

We have previously reported how Mr Wooding, who was 80 and lived alone, was found dead at his home at 8.20am on Monday, June 24.

On June 25 police released a CCTV image of a man seen in the area at the time, with an appeal for anyone who recognised him to get in touch.

On June 27, at a media briefing on the investigation, Superintendent Damian Pettit said: “This is an 80-year-old man, who has survived eight decades of life in peaceful harmony, who has been brutally attacked in his home where he should feel safest.”

He said Mr Wooding had last been seen alive early on Sunday evening, near to his house. Mr Wooding was well known for riding his mobility scooter around Droitwich.