A MAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of North Yorkshire woman Jenny Nicholl.

David Hodgson, 47, of Olav Road, Richmond, spoke only to confirm his name and address when he appeared at Northallerton Magistrates Court.

The defendant was arrested at 8am this morning and brought straight to the court.

He appeared wearing a t-shirt and black trousers and was remanded in custody to appear at Teesside Crown Court next Thursday.

Nineteen-year-old Jenny left her family home in Richmond, North Yorkshire, on June 30, 2005.

Despite a huge search operation by North Yorkshire Police, her body has never been found.

After a number of months, officers came to believe she was dead and declared their investigation a murder inquiry.

A force spokesman said: "A 47-year-old Richmond man has today been arrested on warrant and will appear before Northallerton magistrates later today to be charged with the murder of Jenny Nicholl."

Jenny's parents, Ann and Brian Nicholl, were in court to watch proceedings this morning.

Full story and reaction in tomorrow's Northern Echo.