Boy's murder: Man in court

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of his young stepson in Shropshire.

Serviceman Shaun Thompson is charged with the murder of 21-month-old Kieran John Wynn Edwards.

Thompson, 25, appeared at a special sitting of Shrewsbury Magistrates Court last night over the alleged offence.

The court was told that the incident is alleged to have happened in Market Drayton on June 27, 2007.

Flanked by three security guards, Thompson, whose address was given as being at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address during the hearing, which lasted about 55 minutes.

Thompson, who wore a long-sleeved dark top, was refused bail at the end of the hearing.

Magistrates remanded him in custody until early next month, when he will appear at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

Mr Phil Mason, prosecuting, told the magistrates court hearing that a charge of murder was one that could only be dealt with at a crown court.

He told magistrates that before Thompson had been charged a "lengthy" investigation had been carried out by police over the alleged incident.

Mr Mason also told the court that the young boy who is alleged to have been murdered was Thompson's stepson.

Magistrates were also told by Mr Mason that the child was 21 months old when he died on June 27 after being taken to Birmingham Children's Hospital.

He described it as a "sad incident".

Mr Mason said: "The circumstances are very, very tragic."

Magistrates told Thompson that the case would be sent to the crown court in Shrewsbury, where he is due to appear on May 5.

The bench of two women and one man also told Thompson that bail was refused and that he would be remanded in custody.

RAF Scampton, where Shaun Thompson is now based, is the current home to the world famous Red Arrows display team and the former home of the Dambusters.

By John Kirk