Man in court accused of murder of Michael Brincat in Plymouth

A CARETAKER accused of murdering a pensioner has appeared before a judge for the first time.

Brian Short aged 52, charged with killing Michael Brincat, was brought to Plymouth Crown Court in custody.

Bespectacled Short, wearing smart black trousers and a striped shirt, did not enter any plea to the single charge of murdering the 76-year-old.

But Judge Graham Cottle set down a trial to last two to three weeks beginning on December 2.

Short spoke only to confirm his name and waved briefly to friends and family who packed the court room for the five-minute hearing.

He was remanded in custody to appear back at the court for an interim hearing on June 3.

The body of Mr Brincat, known as Maltese Mike, was found at his Devonport flat. A post-mortem examination found he had been asphyxiated.

Short works as a caretaker for Plymouth Community Homes which manages Marlborough House, the flats where Mr Brincat was found dead on February 5.