Hardy in court on murder charges

An unemployed man was due in court today charged with the murders of three women following the discovery of body parts dumped in rubbish bins.

Anthony Hardy, 51, of Hartland House, Royal College Street, Camden, north London, UK was facing magistrates accused of the murders of prostitute Elizabeth Valad and another unidentified woman, whose body parts were found wrapped in black bags a week ago.

He is also charged with the murder of Sally Rose White, 31, who died in January last year at an address in Royal College Street.

Hardy was due to appear at Hendon Magistrates Court in north London this morning.

On Saturday, police named Miss Valad, originally from Nottingham, as one of the women whose body parts were found by a tramp foraging for food last Monday.

The 29-year-old, who was also known as Liz or Lizzy, was identified by her breast implants. Parts of her legs were found but her head and hands are still missing.

Police have still to formally identify a 36-year-old woman whose body parts were also found in bins behind the College Arms pub in Camden.

It was believed that next-of-kin were being informed.

The investigation began when police were informed that severed limbs had been taken to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Camden by their finder, prompting major searches in the area which turned up more body parts.

A special service was held in Camden yesterday to pray for the women whose body parts were found not far from the church.

Father Tim Pike, who led the Mass at St Pancras Old Church, said the congregation had been in a “sombre mood”.

“It was a very good service indeed. We had people in the congregation from the street where the bodies were found and someone who was a friend of Elizabeth came after he heard about the service.

“It was a chance to reflect on what has happened and think about how to move on from this and keep the community strong.

“They feel hopeful even though they are shocked and distressed by what has happened."