Woman charged and father and son in court

11:01am Friday 21st September 2007

A 20-YEAR-OLD woman has been charged in connection with the killing of three men in Plaw Hatch Close, Bishop's Stortford, on Tuesday, August 28.

Amanda Dansie, of High Street, Buntingford, has been charged with assisting an offender.

She is due to appear before Stevenage magistrates today.

Keith Cowell, 52, and his son Matthew, and Tony Dulieu, 33, from Billericay, were shot dead at the house. Two women were seriously injured. A three-year-old girl who was in the property at the time was unharmed and later carried from the house by a police officer.

A father and son appeared in court this morning.

Kevan Thakrar and his father Atul Thakrar, 46, made their first appearance at St Albans Crown Court via a video link-up from the prison where they are being held.

The 20-year-old-son is charged with the murders of Keith and Matthew Cowell and Tony Dulieu.

The son also faces two charges of attempting to murder two women who were in the house at the time, as well as possessing a firearm with intent to commit an offence.

The father faces a charge of assisting an offender.

Neither men were required to enter pleas to the charges.

That will take place on November 19 when a plea and case management hearing is held.

Peter Shaw, prosecuting, confirmed that another person is being sought in connection with the murders.

Mr Thakrar Jnr, of Lomond Way, Stevenage, was remanded in custody along with his father, whose address was given as Compton Place, Northwood, Middlesex.

Judge Michael Baker was told the trial is likely to last about five weeks and will be held some time next year.

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