A 32-year-old man is due in court today charged with the murder of a Belsize Park pensioner and an 80-year-old woman in the West Midlands.

Leo Barnes, of Runcorn Road, Balsall Heath, is appearing at Dudley Magistrates’ Court today charged with the murder of Philip Silverstone, 67, a resident of Spencer House, a block of supported flats in Belsize Park Gardens.

He also appears charged with the murder of Cynthia Beamond, 80, in Halesowen, West Midlands.

Mr Silverstone’s body was found by police on Monday morning after they were called to Spencer House.

He is believed to have been stabbed to death.