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Bristol

Stepbrother and girlfriend in court over horrific murder of teen Becky Watts

Nathan Matthews and Shauna Hoare were charged today.

THE STEPBROTHER OF Becky Watts and his girlfriend appeared in court today, charged in connection with her gruesome murder.

Nathan Matthews, 28, is charged with the 16 year old’s murder, while his partner Shauna Hoare, 21, is charged with intending to pervert the course of justice.

Both were present in court today, two weeks after the teenager went missing from her home. Both were wearing blue t-shirts and looked unwashed and unkempt.

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Matthews was remanded in custody and is due to appear via video link at Bristol Crown Court tomorrow morning. Hoare was also remanded in custody to appear again on 2 April.

Police have confirmed that the other five people arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender are all still in custody.

According to court reports in the UK, Matthews showed little emotion as the charge was read out.

The pair were arrested after body parts were found at a house in Bristol earlier this week.

Meanwhile, a fundraising drive has been started to help her family pay for a funeral. So far, more than £9,000 has been raised. A message from the family reads:

“With the support of the public it is our wish to give Rebecca the biggest send off we possibly can to honour this much loved girl, taken far too soon. We also wish to support her immediate family while they continue to grieve through the unbearable pain and take away any financial burden they may face in the aftermath of this tragedy.”

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More: Becky Watts’ stepbrother and girlfriend arrested on suspicion of murder

Read: Family question why ‘anyone would hurt their beautiful Becky in such a brutal way’>