A SERVING police officer has appeared in court charged with murdering a woman in a village pub car park.

PC Timothy Brehmer, aged 41, who lives in Hordle in the New Forest, and served with Dorset Police, is accused of killing Claire Parry, outside the Horns Inn in West Parley, Dorset, last Saturday.

Daily Echo:

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.

Today, PC Brehmer, who is married and knew Mrs Parry, appeared at Poole Magistrates' Court from Weymouth police station via a video link charged with murdering the mother-of-two.

He wore a grey sweatshirt and showed little emotion. 

Daily Echo:

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

Richard Oakley, prosecuting, said: "The application is for him to be remanded in custody as he has been charged with a serious offence."

Daily Echo:

Ian Wilson, defending, did not contest the application.

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.

Daily Echo:

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."