A MAN and woman accused of murdering a Bournemouth man have appeared in court.

Debbie Ann Pereira, 38, and Benjamin Lee Atkins, 48, both of Aylesbury Road in Boscombe, appeared at Poole Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, September 5.

The pair have been charged with murdering 49-year-old Simon Shotton following the discovery of his remains in Boscombe.

Wearing all grey, Pereira and Atkins were addressed together by District Judge Orla Austin.

Judge Austin sent the case to Bournemouth Crown Court and said: “The matters are too serious for me to be dealing with here.”

Bournemouth Echo: Specialist teams comb through Boscome clifftopSpecialist teams comb through Boscome clifftop (Image: Daily Echo)

As reported by the Daily Echo, Dorset Police received a report at 1.10pm on Saturday, August 26, following a discovery of body parts by a member of the public in the area of the Manor Steps Zig Zag, off Boscombe Overcliff Drive.

Police later determined the remains to be those of Simon Shotton.

A cordon was initially placed on the whole of the zig zag as well as at Boscombe Cliff Gardens as officers conducted searches.

In the following days, additional cordons were placed around the derelict Mon Bijou hotel in Manor Road, Bournemouth and in Aylesbury Road, Boscombe.

Forensic teams were carrying out enquiries in relation to the murder investigation on both sites.

Bournemouth Echo: Cordon in place around the derelict Mon Bijou hotel in Manor Road.Cordon in place around the derelict Mon Bijou hotel in Manor Road. (Image: Daily Echo)

A specialist search team was also seen at the abandoned hotel in manor Road along with sniffer dogs scouring the area.

Two people were arrested on suspicion of murder on Friday, September 1, and Pereira and Atkins were charged on Monday, September 4.

Speaking following the charge, detective inspector Neil Third, of MCIT, said: “Our thoughts remain with the family of Simon Shotton and they have been updated with this latest development in our investigation.

“As this case will now be the subject of active court proceedings, it would not be appropriate for us to comment any further at this time as we must ensure the justice system is allowed to follow its course.”

Pereira and Atkins are due to appear at Bournemouth Crown Court tomorrow, on Wednesday, September 6.