Police warning as man in court on model's murder

Aug 13 2007 By Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

MURDER squad officers investigating the disappearance and possible killing of a Birmingham man today urged people with information to "come to us before we come to you".

Andre Nunes vanished without trace from his Weoley Castle almost two years ago.

Police said they remained "convinced" that people living in the Weoley Castle area where Andre lived had information about what happened and appealed for them to come forward.

Detectives last week found human remains buried in the grounds of a detached property in Alvechurch that had been raided as part of the investigation.

The operation to exhume the bones from the house known as Moorfields, in Lilley Green Road, Alvechurch, is expected to conclude today or tomorrow.

They will then be sent to a Forensic Science Service lab where DNA experts will try to identify whether they are those of 47-year-old Andre.

His anguished family are being kept informed of the developments which could take two to three weeks.

Det Supt Mick Treble, head of the Major Investigation Unit, said: "We know there are other people with information who are frightened to come forward.

"We would like to reassure them that if they do protective measures can be put in place and their information will be treated sensitively.

"My detectives will be revisiting witnesses and following up other pieces of information Ð my message to any individual is to contact us before we contact you."

A man yesterday appeared in court charged with the kidnap and murder of the former male model.

Michael Joseph Weldon, 55, of Toll House Road, Rednal, was remanded in custody to appear at Birmingham Crown Court next Monday.

Meanwhile, the owner of the house has appeared in court charged with having an Army-style SA80 assault rifle, a shotgun and a sawn-off shotgun.

Michael Oliver, 51, of Lilley Green Road was remanded in custody. A 48-year-old woman arrested with Oliver has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

f=XClearfaceGothicLH-Bold KICKER: oOverline in here and in here