Debt collector ‘killer’ in court

A FORMER civil servant appeared in court yesterday charged with the murder of a doorto-door debt collector who disappeared while on her rounds.

Geoffrey Hutton, 38, is accused of killing Tina Cantello, 49, pictured, who vanished on Friday afternoon. The mother of two was reported missing after she failed to return home from her job working for Provident cash loans.

Her phone was found on the side of the road as her family launched a desperate appeal for her safe return.

Mrs Cantello’s body was found in Basildon, Essex, two miles from where she was last seen. A post-mortem examination established that she died from multiple stab wounds to the chest.

Appearing in Basildon Magistrates’ Court, Hutton, from Basildon, spoke only to confirm his name. He was remanded in custody and will appear for a bail hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court today.