Dorset Police officer Timothy Brehmer charged with murder of Claire Parry

PC Timothy Brehmer, 41, is accused of killing Claire Parry, who he knew, outside the Horns Inn in West Parley, Dorset, last Saturday.

Mrs Parry, also 41, was found by ambulance paramedics unconscious at the scene and she later died in hospital.

A post mortem examination showed she died from a brain injury caused by compression of the neck.

PC Brehmer, who is married, wore a grey sweatshirt and showed little emotion as he appeared at Poole Magistrates' Court from Weymouth police station via a video link charged with murdering mother-of-two Mrs Parry.

He confirmed his New Forest address and his date of birth.

District Judge Stephen Nicholls remanded the officer in custody and told him he will appear at Winchester Crown Court tomorrow.

PC Brehmer serves with Dorset Police. He is a former traffic officer and was seconded to the National Police Air Service (NPAS) at the time of his arrest.

In 2011 he was awarded after rescuing a family from a fire in Christchurch.

He and a colleague broke down the front door of a property to save the lives of a family and their three cats.

A spokesman for Dorset Police earlier confirmed that he was not on duty at the time of the incident.

However, due to his occupation, the force has referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan said: "We have kept the family of Mrs Parry updated throughout the investigation and family liaison officers continue to support them.

"Our thoughts remain with her family and friends at this very difficult time."