Man in court over axe murder

A waiter appeared in court today accused of murdering a 67-year-old man who was killed in a street with an axe in broad daylight.

Joseph Sheehan, 37, appeared before Highbury Corner magistrates charged with the murder of Brian Messitt in Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, north London, on Monday morning.

Sheehan, of Belmont Street, Camden, who had close-cropped dark hair, wore white jogging bottoms and a white tracksuit top for the brief court appearance.
He spoke in a soft high-pitched voice only to confirm his identity, age and address.

No application for bail was made and Sheehan was remanded in custody to reappear before the Old Bailey on March 23.