A man has appeared in court, accused of murdering missing Sissinghurst woman Alexandra Morgan.

Mark Brown, 40, of Squirrel Close, St-Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, was charged shortly before midnight and appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court this morning.

Mother-of-two Alexandra was last seen at a petrol station near Cranbrook at 7.20am on Remembrance Sunday and has not been in contact with her family since.

Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate began leading on efforts to find Alexandra and last week launched a murder investigation.

Brown was arrested in connection with her disappearance on Thursday.

Police presence in Squirrel Close in Hastings

Today, he appeared in court wearing a grey sweat shirt, clasping his arms in front of him throughout.

Flanked by two security guards, he spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth. Justice Stephen Leak transferred his case to Lewes Crown Court in East Sussex, with Brown appearing tomorrow.

Inquiries to locate Alexandra’s body remain ongoing with searches continuing in several locations, including Sevenoaks Weald.

A 53-year-old man from Hastings arrested in connection with the case on Friday has been released without charge.