A 64-year-old man was remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with the murder of a young mother and her son.

James Conan appeared before Basingstoke Magistrates' Court to face the charges of murder of 21-year-old Kirsty O'Connell and of her son Patrick, aged four.

Conan is understood to be the partner of Miss O'Connell who died of multiple stab wounds to her neck and of compression to the neck.

And provisional post mortem results have revealed that Patrick died as a result of asphyxia, according to police.

Their bodies were discovered in a first floor flat in Woolford Close, Winchester, Hants, at 11pm on Friday by police officers who forced entry to the property.

Miss O'Connell's family had reported the pair missing saying they hadn't been seen for several days.

Her family said in a statement: "We are trying to come to terms with the sudden and tragic loss of our daughter Kirsty and our grandson Patrick.

"She was a devoted mother and a much loved daughter. We would ask that we all be left alone to come to terms with our loss at this sad time."

Conan spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth during the short hearing and was remanded in custody.

He will next appear at Winchester Crown Court on August 20.

VIA ananova.com