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Man in court over canal murders Man in court over canal murders
(20 minutes later)
A man accused of murdering two women whose bodies were found in canals in London and the Netherlands has appeared at the Old Bailey.A man accused of murdering two women whose bodies were found in canals in London and the Netherlands has appeared at the Old Bailey.
John Sweeney, 53, and of no fixed address, was remanded in custody until 4 August when he appeared by videolink. John Sweeney, 53, of no fixed address, was remanded in custody until 4 August when he appeared by videolink.
Mr Sweeney is charged with the murders of Paula Fields and Melissa Halstead.Mr Sweeney is charged with the murders of Paula Fields and Melissa Halstead.
In 1990 Ms Halstead's body was found in a Rotterdam canal while Ms Fields' body was found in Regent's Canal in 2001. The cases were linked in February.In 1990 Ms Halstead's body was found in a Rotterdam canal while Ms Fields' body was found in Regent's Canal in 2001. The cases were linked in February.
Bodies dismemberedBodies dismembered
Mr Sweeney will appear before Tower Bridge magistrates on 4 August. Mr Sweeney is due before Tower Bridge magistrates on 4 August.
The headless body of Ms Fields, 31, with her hands and feet missing, was found stuffed in holdalls in London's Regent's Canal. The missing body parts have never been found.The headless body of Ms Fields, 31, with her hands and feet missing, was found stuffed in holdalls in London's Regent's Canal. The missing body parts have never been found.
American model Ms Halstead's dismembered body, with the head and hands missing, was found in Westersingel waterway in Rotterdam.American model Ms Halstead's dismembered body, with the head and hands missing, was found in Westersingel waterway in Rotterdam.
The body was not identified as that of the 33-year-old Ms Halstead until 2008 when scientific techniques had advanced enough to determine who she was. The body was not identified as that of 33-year-old Ms Halstead until 2008 when scientific techniques had advanced enough to determine who she was.
The case of Paula Fields was featured on BBC One's Crimewatch programme.