Huntley remanded for further assessment

The man accused of murdering schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman was remanded in custody today until October 8 following an application by Rampton high security hospital for a further 28 days of assessment.

Ian Huntley appeared at Peterborough Magistrates Court as a major police operation swung into place with more than 50 officers assembled in case of trouble.

The former caretaker, 28, appeared before Judge Nicholas Coleman after a brief hearing in front of magistrates, where he was also charged with perverting the course of justice.

Huntley has been held at the Nottinghamshire hospital since August 20 - the day he was charged with murder - where he has been under psychiatric observation.