Murder: Two face hearing

Friday 9th January 2009, 11:45AM GMT.

Two people arrested in connection with the murder of a 41-year-old Shropshire pawnbroker were due to appear in court today.

The 45-year-old man and the 41-year-old woman, both from Leominster, were appearing before Telford magistrates charged with perverting the course of justice.

A second woman, also arrested on Wednesday, continues to be questioned on suspicion of murder and attempting to pervert the course of justice at Telford police station after the town’s magistrates last night granted police a further detention period.

Mr Black, who ran a pawnbroker shop in Leominster, suffered severe burns in a fire at his home in The Square, Bucknell, on December 8. He died two days later.

In December, Robert William James Field and Gareth Edward Powell, both of Shobdon, Leominster, were charged with his murder and arson with intent to endanger the life of Sylvia Marie Smith, who was injured in the fire.

View more: South Shropshire news.