April Jones accused Mark Bridger remanded in custody after court hearing

A man charged with the abduction and murder of five-year-old April Jones has been remanded in custody after appearing in court via a video link.

Mark Bridger, 46, was seen in Caernarfon Crown Court on Wednesday, nine days after April, from Machynlleth, Powys, went missing.

No members of April's family were in court for the hearing.

Mr Bridger, from Machynlleth, is also charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The latter charge refers to the unlawful disposal and concealment of a body.

Mr Bridger was wearing a black jumper over a grey t-shirt and spectacles for the video-link appearance from HMP Manchester.

He confirmed his name and that he could hear the proceedings.

The judge, Mr Justice Griffith Williams, asked if he understood what had been discussed and Bridger replied: "Yes, sir".

There was no application for bail and he was remanded in custody to appear in a plea and case management hearing on 11 January.

April was last seen outside her home in Machynlleth on Monday 1 October and has not yet been found.

Police said on Wednesday they were extending the current search for her to a radius of a few miles around Machynlleth.