Public abuse murder accused

THERE were angry scenes inside and outside Swindon Magistrates’ Court as Christopher Halliwell, 47, appeared in open court for the first time since being officially charged on Saturday with the killing of 22-year-old PA Sian O’Callaghan.

People shouted abuse from the public gallery in Courtroom 2 and, after the short hearing, a crowd of more than 100 screamed obscenities and tried to attack the police convoy, including the van carrying Halliwell as it took him away.

Halliwell, of Ashbury Avenue, Swindon, spoke only to confirm his name and address.

He is accused of killing O’Callaghan, who disappeared on March 19 in Swindon. No application for bail was made.

Wiltshire Police investigating O’Callaghan’s death continue to examine a body found near the village of Eastleach in Gloucestershire on Saturday. The remains have yet to be formally identified as police continue to attempt to match them to those of women reported missing around the time she is thought to have died.

Sian’s father, Mick, fought back tears as he faced the press for the first time since her body was found.

He described the 22-year old as “bright, bubbly, caring and friendly” and said the family’s pain at hearing of her death had been “real and overpowering”.