THREE men have appeared before Bournemouth magistrates accused of murdering Reece James Menzies in Boscombe .

Wayne Stephenson, 33, Jerome Parkinson, 24, and Keifer Hutchinson, 22, who are all from the London area, were arrested at addresses in the capital and the Folkestone area of Kent on August 21.

They faced a joint charge of murdering Reece, a 21-year-old father of a baby girl, at Sea Road on July 25, during a hearing before magistrates on Saturday morning.

Reece, from London, suffered fatal injuries after sustaining a gunshot wound during an early morning incident in a flat at Roumelia Lane.

Parkinson was the first to appear in the dock.

He was dressed in a navy jumper and dark trousers and spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

When he went back to the cells below the Stafford Road courthouse Stephenson, wearing a blue T-shirt and navy trousers, took his place in the dock.

He was followed by Hutchinson who was wearing a navy round-necked top.

Magistrates imposed a Contempt of Court order banning publication of their addresses following legal submissions from their three solicitors, who argued that it could have a significant impact on the investigation or administration of justice.

No bail applications were made and all three will appear at Winchester Crown Court on Thursday for a preliminary hearing.

Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Connolly from Dorset’s Major Crime Investigation Team, has renewed his appeal for anyone with information about the inquiry to phone 101, quoting incident number 25:46, or the free and confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.