Man in court on murder charge after woman's body found in burning van

BBC Floral tributes left at scene where woman found deadBBC

A 38-year-old man has been remanded in custody accused of murdering a woman in Prestatyn.

The body of the victim, who is yet to be formally identified, was discovered in a burning van in the Denbighshire town on Sunday evening.

Thomas Bell, from Wellington Road in Rhyl, appeared via a video link and spoke only to confirm his name in the short hearing at Mold Crown Court.

He was arrested on Monday after a murder investigation was launched.

Police car and police officers behind a cordon and orange cones on a street
The van was discovered close to an industrial estate in Prestatyn

It followed calls to the emergency services at 23:30 BST on Sunday about a vehicle fire on land close to an industrial estate and retail park in the centre of the town.

Police have said a post-mortem examination confirmed the victim was female.

Adjourning proceedings, Judge Geraint Walters said Bell would appear before him again at Caernarfon Crown Court at the end of November for a plea and preparation hearing.

A provisional date for a trial was set for the beginning of April 2027.