A MAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of rough sleeper Martin Dines. 

Darren Miller, of no fixed abode, is the second person to have been charged with murdering the 56-year-old.

Mr Dines was found dead in St Mary's car park, in Balkerne Hill, Colchester, shortly before 9am on Monday. 

Heidi Kennedy, 46, of Queen Elizabeth Way, Colchester, has already been charged with murder.

Colchester magistrates denied jurisdiction of Miller's case this morning after he was brought up from the cells into court one. 

The pair are expected to appear alongside each other in Chelmsford Crown Court tomorrow. 

Kennedy is also separately charged in connection with an assault in Colchester on Sunday. 

Kathy Wilson, prosecuting, also formally amended the charge which relates to Mr Dines' murder to include the phrase "on or about April 22 and acting together with Kennedy". 

A 32-year-old man remains in police custody while a 47-year-old man, who was also arrested on suspicion of murder, has since been released under investigation.