Student shooting suspect: 'Call me Psycho'

ANUJ BIDVE: The 23-year-old from India was studying electronics at Lancaster University (PA)

A man accused of shooting dead a postgraduate Indian student on Boxing Day gave his name as "Psycho Stapleton" when he appeared in court yesterday.

There was high security as Kiaran Stapleton, from Ordsall, Salford, was remanded in custody for 24 hours at Manchester Magistrates' Court. The 20-year-old is accused of killing Anuj Bidve in what police described as an "apparently motiveless" attack close to a McDonald's in the early hours of Boxing Day.

Four armed officers stood in court shortly before the accused appeared. Mr Stapleton, who was wearing a grey Nike T-shirt and grey jogging bottoms, was also flanked in the dock by two police officers. Asked for his name, he replied "Psycho Stapleton" before confirming his date of birth.

Mr Bidve, 23, described as a "promising and clever" student studying microelectronics at Lancaster University, was shot in the head after being approached by a gunman. He died a short time later in hospital.

The shooting has generated considerable international media interest after the dead student's father Subhash Bidve criticised the way the British and Indian authorities handled the case. A candlelit memorial service was held for Mr Bidve in Ordsall Lane, where he was shot, last night. It coincided with a peace march for him in New Delhi.

There was no application for bail.