A THIRD man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Southampton computer enthusiast Richard Hughes, pictured.

Justin Biles, 26, of Irving Road, Maybush, appeared before Southampton magistrates on Thursday and was remanded in custody for seven days.

His solicitor, Terri Connor, made no application for bail.

Biles was charged by detectives working on the murder investigation, codenamed Operation Barnfield, after presenting himself at Southampton Central police station.

Two other people had already been charged with murder and remanded in custody by city magistrates following the death of Mr Hughes.

He was found in his flat in Millbrook Road West on November 24.

James Robinson, 19, of Darwin Road, Shirley, will re-appear on Wednesday while Paul Stanton, 22, of Varna Road, Freemantle, is due to make his next appearance on January 3.

A 20-year-old man and a woman aged 26, both from the Shirley area, were also arrested in connection with Mr Hughes' death.

They have been bailed pending further inquiries.

Mr Hughes, 29, died from head injuries sustained in a severe beating. Inquiries into his death are continuing.

This week Detective Chief Inspector Paul Clark, leading the investigation, appealed for a van driver to come forward to help police piece together the final moments of Mr Hughes's life.

The bachelor, who had just finished a home study course in computing, was seen talking to a man with a white Ford Transit-type van with a roof rack outside The Maybush pub in Wimpson Lane between 3.30pm and 6.30pm on November 19.

Anyone with information should call the Hulse Road incident room on 0845 045 4545 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.