A BIRMINGHAM couple found dead in their home were battered to death with a lump hammer, police revealed today.

The bodies of Avtar Kolar, aged 62, and his 58-year-oldwife Carole were found inside their home on Friary Road, in Handsworth Wood, on January 11 by their son Jason, a serving officer with West Midlands Police.

Forensic post-mortem examinations confirmed they both died after being repeatedly struck over the head with a blunt instrument.

The Crown Prosecution Service last night authorised police to charge Lithuanian national Rimvydas Liorancas, aged 37, with two counts of murder.

He is due before Birmingham magistrates today.

Det Chief Supt Steve Jupp, head of force CID, said: “The devastating impact of such a tragic and senseless death has been far reaching. The family have been overwhelmed by messages of support from friends, from the local community and much further afield.

“The investigation into Carole and Avtar’s death has been complex and very fast moving.

“I would like to say thank you to those who have come forward and given us our information. It is the information given by local people to our officers that is vital and in this case we have received a number of very important phone calls.”

He added that a lump hammer was recovered at the scene and that it was the cause of the couple’s fatal injuries.