Man remanded over double killing

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A 64-year-old man has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with the murder of a young mother and her four-year-old son.

Kirsty O'Connell, 21, died of multiple stab wounds to her neck and compression to the neck. Her son, Patrick, died from asphyxia, police said.

James Conan - said to be the partner of Miss O'Connell - appeared before magistrates in Basingstoke, Hampshire.

The pair were found at a flat in Woolford Close, Winchester, on Friday.

Police officers forced entry to the property after Miss O'Connell's family reported them both missing for several days.

In a statement the family said they were trying to come to terms with their "sudden and tragic loss".

A post mortem found Patrick O'Connell died of asphyxiation

"She was a devoted mother and a much loved daughter," the statement said.

"We would ask that we all be left alone to come to terms with our loss at this sad time."

Friends and family have been leaving floral tributes to the mother and son outside their flat in Woolford Close in the Stanmore area of Winchester.

Mr Conan spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth during the short hearing and was remanded in custody.

He will next appear at Winchester Crown Court on 20 August.