Four men and a teenager charged with the murder of Dagenham man Gary Pocock have been remanded in custody after appearing in court today.

Christopher Bones, 20, of Dorothy Gardens, Dagenham, appeared alongside Matthew Terry, 20, and Mark Terry, 44, both of Grantham Road, Newham, and Jamie West, 19, of Cliffe View Gardens, Kent, at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court.

A 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also remanded in youth custody

The body of 34-year-old Mr Pocock, of Lillechurch Road, Dagenham, was found half-naked and badly beaten on a beach in Warden on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, on Wednesday, August 7.

All four men will attend bail hearing at Maidstone Crown Court within the next few days.

A 32-year old-woman, of Manor Park, Newham, was also arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. She has been bailed until Friday, October 4, pending further investigations.