Anuj Bidve Murder: 'Psycho Stapleton' Faces Charge For Boxing Day Killing Of Student

'Psycho Stapleton' Faces Murder Charge For Boxing Day Murder

The man calling himself "Psycho" has been further remanded in custody charged with the Boxing Day murder of Indian student Anuj Bidve.

Kiaran Stapleton, 20, from Ordsall in Salford, replied "Psycho Stapleton" when asked to give his name as he stood in the dock at City of Manchester Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Stapleton's appeared in court via videolink on Tuesday and was again remanded in custody until his next scheduled appearance on 20 March.

He was arrested last Thursday and charged with Mr Bidve's murder on Sunday.

Mr Bidve, 23, described as a "promising and clever" student, was shot once in the head at around 1.30am on 26 December. He died a short time later in hospital.

He was with a group of fellow Indian students visiting Manchester for Christmas when he was murdered as the group walked through Ordsall towards Manchester city centre.

Two officers from Greater Manchester Police have flown to India to meet Subhash Bidve, the victim's father.

He found out about his son's death on Facebook at home in Pune, India, before police in the UK could contact him.

Mr Bidve was studying for a microelectronics postgraduate qualification at Lancaster University. He came to the UK in September after completing an electronics degree at Pune University.

Last night, hundreds of people attended a candlelit memorial service for Mr Bidve at the scene where he was gunned down in Ordsall Lane. A peace march was held for him in New Delhi, which finished outside the British Embassy.

In a brief hearing that lasted less than 10 minutes, Stapleton - wearing a grey sweater - stared ahead impassively throughout.

Judge Michael Henshell remanded him in custody until his plea and case management hearing in March.

A trial date was provisionally fixed for 25 June at Manchester Crown Court with an estimated duration of three to four weeks.

In a statement made in India, Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson of Greater Manchester Police said he had held talks with Mr Bidve's family.

He said: "We met with Anuj's family last night for several hours and were able to fill in some of the gaps in understanding of the events leading up to Anuj's tragic death. Anuj's family are very understandably keen to have Anuj returned to them".

Three other people who were arrested on suspicion of Mr Bidve's murder have been bailed until March pending further inquiries. A fourth man, aged 19, had his bail cancelled.

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