Man accused of killing neighbour on remand

AMAN has been remanded in custody charged with murdering his neighbour. Can Arslan, 51, appeared before Bristol Magistrates’ Court accused of stabbing to death father-of-three Matthew Boorman.

Mr Boorman, 43, died during an incident at his home in Snowdonia Road, Walton Cardiff, near Tewkesbury, on Tuesday evening.

Arslan is also accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Boorman’s wife, Sarah, and the attempted murder of another neighbour, Peter Marsden. He faces an additional charge of affray.

The stocky, bearded defendant, who wore a grey T-shirt and tracksuit trousers, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address during a brief hearing.

His wife and daughter were present in court, as were members of Mr Boorman’s family.

Jeremy Oliver, prosecuting, asked for the case to be sent to Bristol

Crown Court due to the seriousness of the charges.

Susan Helfer, chair of the bench, remanded Arslan, of Snowdonia Road, in custody and ordered him to appear before Bristol Crown Court on October 11.

“As your solicitor will have told you, these offences are too serious for this court and will be held in the crown court,” she said.

“We have no jurisdiction over bail and there will be a bail hearing in Bristol Crown Court on Monday.

“As you are not asking for bail you are not required to be present. There will be a plea and trial preparation hearing on November 5.

“In the meantime you will be remanded into custody.”

During the incident, two off-duty police officers risked their lives to tackle the knifeman and restrain him.

Mr Boorman, pictured above, was treated at the scene by paramedics but was declared dead a short time later.

Mr Marsden, who is in his 40s, is in a “critical but stable” condition at Southmead Hospital in Bristol, having suffered serious stab wounds.

Mrs Boorman, who is in her 30s, suffered a leg injury and was treated at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

In a statement released by Gloucestershire Police, Mr Boorman’s family said: “Matthew was a loving husband and a father to three gorgeous young children who all love him and miss him tremendously. He was an uncle, a brother and a son. It broke our hearts to lose him too soon.”

Gloucestershire Police said the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) had been informed due to previous contact between the suspect and Mr Boorman.

An IOPC spokesman said: “We have received a referral from Gloucestershire Police in respect of previous police contact with the suspect and victim involved in a stabbing incident in Walton Cardiff.

“We will be assessing the referral to determine whether any IOPC involvement is required in an investigation.”

Flowers left near the scene where Matthew Boorman died following a series of stabbings in Walton Cardiff, near Tewkesbury