THE TAXI driver accused of murdering 22-year-old Sian O’Callaghan has been remanded in custody.

There was tight security as Christopher Halliwell, 47, arrived in a prison van at Bristol Crown Court but there was no repetition of the scenes seen outside Swindon Magistrates Court on Monday when angry crowds attacked the vehicle carrying the accused.

Halliwell, of Ashbury Avenue, Nythe, appeared at court dressed in a dark grey suite, white shirt and light blue tie, flanked by four security guards, and, as on Monday, only spoke to confirm his name at yesterday’s bail hearing.

No application for bail was made for Halliwell who was charged with the murder of Sian O’Callaghan on Saturday, March 26.

Halliwell will next appear via videolink at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, April 8 for a plea and case management hearing.

He is accused of murdering Sian after she went missing from Suju nightclub in High Street, Old Town, on March 19.

Sian’s body was found close to the Uffington White Horse in Oxfordshire on Thursday last week.

Mr Justice Burnett, at the hearing yesterday, said: “I’m quite satisfied that bail is inappropriate given the nature and circumstances of the alleged offences.

“There is a real risk of a failure to surrender.

“There is insufficient information at this stage for the possibility of bail to be considered.”

The main public gallery was closed to the public yesterday and only a handful of people sat in the viewing gallery.

His barrister, Daren Samat, said no application for bail would be made.

l AN inquest into Sian’s death will be opened and adjourned later this week.

A police spokesman said: “We have received confirmation that the inquest into the death of Sian O’Callaghan will be opened and adjourned at 2pm on Friday, April 1 at Oxford Coroner’s Court.”

It will be delayed until after the pending court case of Christopher Halliwell.