Two men appear in Cambridge court charged with murdering man in Peterborough

Conor’s body was recovered from the River Nene in the city on Saturday, January 24.

A post mortem examination revealed a preliminary cause of death was drowning.

On Tuesday (February 3) two men appeared at Cambridge Crown Court charged with his murder.

Thomas McShane and Cole Mackaness were charged with murder over the weekend.

For logistical reasons, the men appeared via video link in two separate hearings.

Both men wore grey tracksuits, and spoke to confirm their identity.

McShane, 19, of Collier Mews, Paston, Peterborough, has been charged with murder, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a class B drug.

Mackaness, 19, of Baden Powell Way, Wellingborough, has been charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon.

The hearings only lasted a matter of a few minutes, with neither man entering a plea to any charge they face.

Both men were told the next court hearing is scheduled to take place on Friday, March 6, when it is expected they will be asked to enter a plea to the charges.

They were remanded into custody until that hearing, which is also set to take place at the Cambridge court.

Police have made a number of other arrests as part of the investigation.

An 18-year-old man from Peterborough was arrested yesterday (1 February) on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody at Thorpe Wood Police Station.

An 18-year-old woman also from Peterborough was arrested yesterday on suspicion of assisting an offender. She has been bailed until April 30.

A 19-year-old man, who had been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender last week, has been released on bail to return to Thorpe Wood Police Station on 29 April.