Man due in court over murder of mother and daughter

A MAN is due in court charged with murdering a woman and her daughter, police said last night.

A double murder investigation was launched after the arrest of a 50- year- old man over the disappearance of Bennylyn Burke and her two daughters.

They are trying to find the bodies of Miss Burke and her daughter Jellica. Her other child, a sevenyear-old girl, has been found and has been taken into care.

They went missing from their home in Kingswood, Gloucestershire, on February 17.

And l ast Monday Avon and Somerset Police appealed for help finding them.

Detectives raided a detached house in the Ardler area of Dundee on Friday after reports that the family were in the area.

After the arrest, Police Scotland said a man would appear before Dundee Sheriff Court tomorrow.

Detective Superintendent Graeme Mackie, of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, said: ‘We are now treating the disappearances as a murder investigation and I would urge anyone with any information to please come forward and speak to us.

‘Bennylyn’s next of kin have been updated on the arrest and are being supported by colleagues from Avon and Somerset Police. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this very difficult time.

‘There will be an increased police presence in the area for a considerable period of time and I would like to thank the local community for their co-operation.’

At 3.20pm on Friday, officers went to a property in Troon Avenue, Dundee, as part of the inquiry into the disappearance of Miss Burke and her daughters.

Neighbours said officers raided a large detached house on the street, home usually to a single man.

Police were then seen setting up a blue forensic tent in the front garden, taping up a back window and rifling through a skip that had been sitting out the front of the house.

They also cordoned off the street, with officers remaining at the scene yesterday.