TWO IN COURT OVER 'JIGSAW MURDER'

Stephen Marshall, 37, of Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, and Sarah Bush, 20, of Southgate, north London, appeared before magistrates in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, accused of killing 49-year-old Jeffrey Howe, of Southgate.

Meanwhile it emerged that the police watchdog and the Metropolitan Police are investigating whether Mr Howe's disappearance was handled appropriately.

Marshall and Bush were arrested earlier this week after parts of Mr Howe's dismembered body were found at locations in Hertfordshire and Leicestershire.

Both defendants were remanded in custody - there was no application for bail.

They are next due to appear before a judge at St Albans Crown Court on Friday, May 1. Both spoke only to confirm their personal details during a 10-minute hearing.

Mr Howe's dismembered remains were found at rural locations during the course of the last month.

Scores of officers from the Bedfordshire and Herts Major Crime Unit and Leicestershire Police chased up leads after March 22 when Mr Howe's left leg was found in a lay-by on the A507 in Cottered, Herts.

The Metropolitan Police said that the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and the Met's own Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) are investigating whether the disappearance of Mr Howe was handled appropriately.

There are claims Scotland Yard repeatedly ignored pleas from Mr Howe's family to investigate when he went missing, according to the Daily Mail.