A man has appeared in court charged with murdering a man and a woman in central London.

Lee Peacock, 49, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday accused of killing Sharon Pickles and Clinton Ashmore.

The charges came after police went to a property in Ashbridge Street in Westminster earlier this month when concerns were raised for the welfare of those inside.

Metropolitan Police officers found Ms Pickles, 45, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

A few hours later, in the early hours of 20 August, police were called by London Ambulance Service to a property in Jerome Crescent.

When they attended the address, about half a mile from where Ms Pickles was found, they discovered the body of 59-year-old Mr Ashmore.

Peacock, of Harrow Road, west London, was arrested last week and although he was taken to the court in police custody, he appeared at the two-minute hearing by video-link from elsewhere in the building.

He gave no indication of a plea, speaking only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at the Old Bailey on Wednesday 1 September.

Related posts:

UK records more than 10,000 new COVID cases and further 11 deaths UK reports another 10,321 COVID cases and 14 deaths E-scooter rider dies in hospital – six days after being critically injured in collision with a car Dancers back on Blackpool Tower’s ballroom floor for first time in 16 months Public Health England extends its heat-health alert until Friday UK records more than 40,000 COVID cases for fifth day in a row, latest daily figures show Man who died in house fire named as ‘devastated’ family pay tribute Long read: The quest for net zero – can carbon capture finally deliver? Amazon to stop accepting payments using UK-issued Visa credit cards Nine Insulate Britain activists jailed for breaching injunction to prevent road blockades ‘Hidden pandemic’: Warning of surge in antibiotic-resistance infections after COVID Murder accused recorded on phone as he stabbed and strangled girlfriend after eating cannabis brownie, court hears