Jia Ashton murder suspect remanded

Jia Ashton was last seen leaving work at Thorntons

A 21-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Thorntons worker Jia Ashton.

Mrs Ashton, 25, was found dead from head injuries in woods in Somercotes, Derbyshire, on 13 March, three days after she went missing.

David Simmonds was arrested on Thursday at his flat in Derby Road, Heanor.

At Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court he made no application for bail and was remanded in custody to appear at Nottingham Crown Court on 23 May.