Man remanded in double murder probe

Police outside a house in Mold Crescent, Banbury, after officers discovered the bodies of a man and a woman
12 April 2012

A 45-year-old father has appeared in court charged with murdering his former partner and her son at their home.

Sally Cox, 43, and 22-year-old Martin Faulkner were bludgeoned to death at the terraced house in Banbury, Oxfordshire. Their bodies were discovered on Monday morning after Mrs Cox's two daughters escaped.

Michael Kelly, of Hatch Road, Swindon, Wiltshire, was wearing a grey tracksuit and spoke only to confirm his name and address during a brief hearing at Banbury Magistrates' Court on Wednesday morning.

He is charged with two counts of murder and one of grievous bodily harm relating to a 19-year-old girl badly injured in the incident, believed to be Mrs Cox's daughter Amy. She remains at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford where her condition is now improving.

A 13-year-old girl, believed to be Mrs Cox's younger daughter Katie, was present but unharmed.

A post-mortem examination on Mr Faulkner revealed he died as a result of multiple sharp weapons injuries. His mother died of multiple head injuries caused by a "heavy bladed instrument", a Thames Valley Police spokesman said.

Police have not confirmed claims from neighbours that the victims were killed with an axe.

Detective Inspector Steve Duffy said officers were confronted by a "horrific scene" when they were called to Mrs Cox's terraced home in Mold Crescent at around 6.45am however. The family had lived in the house for a year.

Kelly was remanded in custody and will appear at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday morning for a further hearing.

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