A MAN has appeared in court today charged with the murder of Heather Barnett.

Danilo Restivo, aged 38, of Chatsworth Road in Charminster spoke only to confirm his name, age and address during the six-minute hearing at Bournemouth Magistrates Court.

Restivo, wearing a grey hooded top, was flanked by two security guards in the secured dock in court four.

He was formally charged with the murder of Heather Mary Barnett on November 12, 2002.

He was assisted in the proceedings by an Italian interpreter. His solicitor, Tracey Watson indicated to the court that her client was likely to enter a not guilty plea and would be applying for bail. The case was committed for a preliminary hearing to Winchester Crown Court next Friday, May 28.

Restivo, originally from Potenza, Italy, was charged by detectives at Poole police station on Thursday afternoon.

Alastair Nisbet, Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “After carefully considering all the evidence provided to me by Dorset Police arising from their investigation into the murder of Heather Barnett in November 2002, I have decided that there is sufficient evidence to prosecute Danilo Restivo for her murder and that it would be in the public interest to do so.

“The family of Heather Barnett have been informed of my decision and I hope soon to be able to meet them and to explain the trial process and answer any questions they may have.”

Restivo was arrested in an early morning operation at his home on Wednesday.

Officers sealed off the detached property and are continuing to carry out a full forensic examination, a process that may take up to a week.

Scaffolding and screening were erected around the exterior.

Restivo shares the house with his wife Fiamma, who moved out on Wednesday morning as the police operation began.

Meanwhile Dorset officers continue to liaise with their counterparts in Italy over the disappearance of schoolgirl Elisa Claps in 1993.

The body of the 16-year-old was discovered hidden in a church in home town two months ago, 17 years after she went missing.

The case has formed a significant part of Dorset Police inquiries in the past six years.

An autopsy has been completed but its publication has been withheld by the public prosecutor in Salerno.

The inquiry into Heather’s death has been one of the longest running cases for Dorset’s Major Crime Investigation Team, led by Detective Superintendent Mark Cooper.

Outside Poole police station, Detective Superintendent Cooper said: “We have been in close contact with members of Heather’s family throughout the course of this investigation.

"The family has shown extraordinary strength and courage over the seven years since Heather’s death and our thoughts are still very much with them.”