Man remanded on Becky Godden-Edwards murder charge

A taxi driver appeared in court today charged with the murder of Becky Godden-Edwards.

Christopher Halliwell, who is also accused of killing nightclubber Sian O'Callaghan, was remanded in custody until Thursday after making a three-minute appearance at Worcester Magistrates' Court.

The new charge against the 47-year-old alleges that he murdered Miss Godden-Edwards in Swindon, Wiltshire, on a day between December 27, 2002 and January 1, 2006.

Halliwell, wearing a maroon T-shirt and flanked by two police officers, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth before magistrates ordered the case against him to be transferred to Bristol Crown Court.

The defendant, of Ashbury Avenue, Swindon, was charged with Miss Godden-Edwards' murder by Wiltshire Police last night. He had already been charged with killing Miss O'Callaghan.

Miss Godden-Edwards' remains were discovered at a Cotswold beauty spot after Halliwell was detained by detectives investigating the death of his other alleged victim.

It is understood that Miss Godden-Edwards, who would have celebrated her 29th birthday last month, was last seen by her family in Swindon around eight years ago.

Miss O'Callaghan disappeared after leaving Swindon's Suju nightclub in the early hours of March 19 after a night out with friends.

Five days later police found the 22-year-old's body in a field in Uffington, Oxfordshire.