This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-england-birmingham-16830987
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Kolar murders: Accused 'had no passport' | Kolar murders: Accused 'had no passport' |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| An MP says he is investigating whether proper border checks were made on a Lithuanian man accused of killing a Birmingham couple in their home. | |
| Birmingham MP Khalid Mahmood said Lithuanian Rimvydas Liorancas, who was charged with the murder of Carole and Avtar Kolar, did not have a passport. | Birmingham MP Khalid Mahmood said Lithuanian Rimvydas Liorancas, who was charged with the murder of Carole and Avtar Kolar, did not have a passport. |
| It is unclear whether or not he had a national identity card. | |
| Mr Liorancas, 37, was found hanged in his cell in Woodhill Prison in Milton Keynes on Saturday. | Mr Liorancas, 37, was found hanged in his cell in Woodhill Prison in Milton Keynes on Saturday. |
| An inquest into his death is to be opened later. | An inquest into his death is to be opened later. |
| The hearing at Milton Keynes Coroners' Court is expected to hear basic evidence surrounding his death before being adjourned. | |
| 'Very concerned' | |
| The couple's bodies were found at their Handsworth Wood home on 11 January by their son, an officer with West Midlands Police. | The couple's bodies were found at their Handsworth Wood home on 11 January by their son, an officer with West Midlands Police. |
| The investigation into the couple's death will continue, police have said. | The investigation into the couple's death will continue, police have said. |
| Mr Mahmood, who was the Kolars' MP, said he would be making inquires with the Home Office on Wednesday. | Mr Mahmood, who was the Kolars' MP, said he would be making inquires with the Home Office on Wednesday. |
| He said he was not sure if Mr Liorancas had any previous convictions. | He said he was not sure if Mr Liorancas had any previous convictions. |
| "I am very concerned people are coming across our borders without proper checks," he said. | "I am very concerned people are coming across our borders without proper checks," he said. |
| "I'm making inquiries today with the Home Office on what basis he was allowed into the country - and with Border Control - to see what they have to say about it. | "I'm making inquiries today with the Home Office on what basis he was allowed into the country - and with Border Control - to see what they have to say about it. |
| "I have not spoken to the family about it. | "I have not spoken to the family about it. |
| "I am happy to support them if they come to me but I have not directly contacted them or plan to." | "I am happy to support them if they come to me but I have not directly contacted them or plan to." |
| He said he did not know when Mr Liorancas arrived in the UK. | He said he did not know when Mr Liorancas arrived in the UK. |
| West Midlands Police said the force would not be making any comment about Mr Liorancas not having a passport. | West Midlands Police said the force would not be making any comment about Mr Liorancas not having a passport. |
| A Home Office spokesman said it would not be making a comment while "an on-going investigation was happening into the events that have taken place". | |
| A Lithuanian Embassy spokesman said any questions about Mr Liorancas's entry into the UK should be directed to the Border Agency. | |
| Hanging in cell | |
| The spokesman added that the embassy was aware of his death and was "dealing with it in the appropriate and routine manner in terms of repatriating the body, liaising with the family and local authorities." | |
| Mr Liorancas, of Winson Green, had appeared at Birmingham Crown Court charged with murder but did not enter a plea. | Mr Liorancas, of Winson Green, had appeared at Birmingham Crown Court charged with murder but did not enter a plea. |
| Post-mortem examinations following the Kolars' deaths revealed they both died as a result of blunt-force trauma to the head, each sustaining a number of blows. | Post-mortem examinations following the Kolars' deaths revealed they both died as a result of blunt-force trauma to the head, each sustaining a number of blows. |
| Mr Liorancas was found hanging in his cell at 08:52am on Saturday, the Prison Service said. | Mr Liorancas was found hanging in his cell at 08:52am on Saturday, the Prison Service said. |
| The Kolar family have said they wished to be left alone to continue to grieve and understood the investigation would continue and findings be presented to the coroner. |