Maids Moreton: Magician and deputy churchwarden in court over murder Published duration 7 November 2018

image copyright Amazon image caption Peter Farquhar was a guest lecturer at the University of Buckingham

A deputy churchwarden and a magician have appeared in court charged with the murder and attempted murder of two neighbours.

English teacher Peter Farquhar, 69, and ex-headmistress Ann Moore-Martin, 83, were both found dead in Maids Moreton.

Mr Farquhar died on 26 October 2015 and Ms Moore-Martin died on 12 May 2017 in the Buckinghamshire village.

Ben Field, 28, from Olney, and Martyn Smith, 32, from Cornwall, appeared before High Wycombe magistrates.

Thames Valley Police launched a double murder inquiry in January.

image copyright PA image caption Peter Farquhar lived at the house circled on the left, Ann Moore-Martin on the right

Deputy churchwarden Mr Field, of Wellingborough Road, and magician Mr Smith, of Penhalvean, Redruth, are charged with conspiracy to murder Ms Moore-Martin and Mr Farquhar; the murder of Mr Farquhar; the attempted murder of Ms Moore-Martin; fraud and burglary.

Both men are accused of stealing a French carbine rifle, an African long gun and a Martini-Henry rifle in April 2016, the court heard.

Mr Field also faces a charge of stealing a cardigan and a bottle of Drambuie.

They are alleged to have committed fraud in 2016 by falsely claiming another man, Thomas Field, had kidney problems and needed a dialysis machine worth more than £26,000.

Mr Field and Mr Smith were remanded in custody to appear before Oxford Crown Court on Thursday.