Man appears in court charged with Christmas Day double murder

A 49-year-old man has appeared in court charged with two counts of murder after two women died following a suspected stabbing in Milton Keynes on Christmas Day.

Jazwell Brown, of Santa Cruz Avenue, Bletchley, appeared at Luton Crown Court on Tuesday after police confirmed the victims were Joanne Pearson, 38, and Teohna Grant, 24.

He has also been charged with the attempted murders of Bradley Latter, 29, and of a teenage boy, and one count each of possession of a knife in a public place and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, a Staffordshire bull terrier.

Brown appeared in court via video-link from HMP Bullingdon and spoke only to confirm his identity.

He will next appear at the same court on March 21.

A provisional trial date was set for June 17.

Officers were called to an address in Santa Cruz Avenue at about 6.30pm on Wednesday. The two women died at the scene, while Mr Latter and the teenage boy were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Police previously said the dog that was injured in the incident had died, but they have since been informed it survived.

Thames Valley Police confirmed they are supporting the families of those involved.

The man and teenage boy are both said to be recovering and in a stable condition.