A COUPLE accused of murdering a man whose dismembered body was dumped across Herts appeared in court via video link this morning. Stephen Marshall, aged 37, of Ayot Path, Borehamwood, and his girlfriend Sarah Bush, aged 20, from Pickard Close, Southgate a

A COUPLE accused of murdering a man whose dismembered body was dumped across Herts appeared in court via video link this morning.

Stephen Marshall, aged 37, of Ayot Path, Borehamwood, and his girlfriend Sarah Bush, aged 20, from Pickard Close, Southgate are charged with murdering kitchen salesman Jeffrey Howe, 49, between March 7 and March 22 this year.

The pair appeared on video link at St Albans Crown Court for a preliminary hearing but only spoke to confirm their names and addresses. No pleas were entered by either of them.

Marshall is thought to have moved to St Albans from Hemel Hempstead in 2002 and he used to own Fitness Connection in Sutton Road,

He is believed to have lived in Branch Road, Park Street, and married at St Albans Register office on August 29, 2002.

Mr Howe's left forearm was found in Drovers Lane, near Wheathampstead on Sunday, March 28, following the discovery of his left leg at Cottered, near Baldock, the previous weekend. A second leg was found near Puckeridge.

His severed head was found in a field in Leicestershire on Tuesday March 31, and his torso was discovered in Standon over the Easter weekend. All that remains missing is the victim's hands.

Judge Michael Baker QC adjourned the hearing until some time in October. The trial is expected to last four to six weeks with a provisional start date of January 12.