Man, 63, appears in court charged with murdering his wife, 54, and her son, 29, at their £1m home in small Essex village
A man has appeared in court charged with the murders of his wife and her son.
Calogero Ricotta, 63, is accused of killing Maria Nugara, 54, and 29-year-old Giuseppe Morreale in the village of Ugley in Essex.
He appeared before Chelmsford Crown Court by video link from HMP Peterborough on Tuesday.
Ricotta, who wore a long-sleeved, dark-coloured top and had short dark hair, remained seated as he listened to proceedings.
He spoke to confirm his name, and was not asked to enter pleas to the two counts of murder and one of actual bodily harm.
Giuseppe Morreale (left) and his mother Maria Nugara, 54, were found dead in Ugley, near Bishop's Stortford
Maria Ricotta, 53, who was named locally as the woman found dead in a house in Ugley, Essex, with her son Giuseppe Morreal
He is due to appear at the same court for a plea hearing on August 16, and to be brought to court in person and with an Italian interpreter requested.
Judge Christopher Morgan remanded Ricotta, of Cambridge Road, Ugley, in custody until then.
Essex Police said it received a call at 9.50pm on May 28 reporting that two people had been seriously injured at an address in Ugley, near Bishop's Stortford.
Officers attended the address in Cambridge Road and found Ms Nugara and Mr Morreale, who were both pronounced dead at the scene.
Floral tributes were left at the gateway to the house by well-wishers included a bunch of mixed blooms with a handwritten note describing Ms Nugara as 'my beautiful friend Maria'.
The village of Ugley near Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, has a population of around 450 and is known for its 16th and 17th century buildings.
The village of Ugley near Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, has a population of around 450 and is known for its 16th and 17th century buildings
Essex Police previously said in a statement: 'Detectives investigating the deaths of two people in Ugley, near Bishop's Stortford, have charged a man with two counts of murder.
'Calogero Ricotta, 63, of Cambridge Road, Ugley, faces two charges of murder and one count of actual bodily harm. He is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court today (Friday, 31 May).
'The charges follow an investigation led by Essex and Kent Serious Crime Directorate, after we were called to reports of serious injuries at an address in Cambridge Road, Ugley, on Tuesday 28 May.
'Maria Nugara, 54, and her son Giuseppe Morreale, 29, lived in Ugley and sadly both died at the scene.'
