AN Ipswich man accused of murdering Cara Martin-Brown has appeared before magistrates in the town.Darren Brown, of Alderman Road, spoke only to confirm his name and address during the ten-minute hearing held at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court yesterday.

AN Ipswich man accused of murdering Cara Martin-Brown has appeared before magistrates in the town.

Darren Brown, of Alderman Road, spoke only to confirm his name and address during the ten-minute hearing held at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The 21-year-old will now appear at Ipswich Crown Court on January 6.

No bail application was made to magistrates and Brown was remanded in custody until his next court date.

Flanked by two security guards, Brown showed no emotion as he listened to the case outlined against him. His only gestures were to wave and smile to a woman in the public gallery.

He wore a white tracksuit with a blue T-shirt underneath and sported a spikey-black haircut. He sat with his head bowed for much of hearing.

Robert Sadd, prosecuting, explained to magistrates Brown had been charged with murder and that this was his first appearance before a court in relation to this matter.

He then outlined a brief summary of the evidence that had been gathered by the police investigation.

Graham Skippen, defending, did not make a bail application for his client, who was charged with the offence on Christmas Eve.

Chairwoman of the bench Sue Humphrey remanded Brown in custody and told him the date of his next court appearance.

Miss Martin-Brown, of Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich, was found unconscious in an alleyway near to the Alderman Road recreation ground in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The 25-year-old was taken to Ipswich Hospital with severe head injuries but later died.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Suffolk police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.