A man charged with the murders of a father and a son who were shot dead in two villages six miles apart has been remanded in custody.
Stephen Alderton, 66, was charged with two counts of murder and one count of possession of a firearm following the deaths of Gary and Joshua Dunmore in Cambridgeshire.
Their bodies were discovered at properties in The Row, Sutton, and Meridian Close, Bluntisham, on Wednesday.
Alderton, of no fixed abode, was charged yesterday and appeared at Huntingdon Magistrates' Court today.
No pleas were entered and the case was sent to Cambridge Crown Court, where a hearing will take place on Monday.
The victims' family paid tribute to the "devoted" father and son in a statement released via Cambridgeshire Constabulary on Friday.
They said: "Josh was a devoted father and a loving uncle. He was a wonderful son and brother and leaves behind an extensive group of family and friends.
"He will be deeply missed and the devastation this has caused will never heal.
"Gary was the most devoted son, brother, dad and grandad, who gave everything for those he loved.
"He was a gentle and generous person who always put others before himself and he'll be massively missed by his family and all those who knew and loved him."
A floral tribute to Gary Dunmore left outside his home in The Row, Sutton, said: "To my dear neighbour Gary.
"A man who loved his family dearly, a dear friend to all, so helpful and kind and was always around as a friend and my little odd job man.
"I'm going to miss you."
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PA)Last night, Cambridgeshire Constabulary said in a statement: "A man has been charged in connection with two shootings in Cambridgeshire on Wednesday (29 March).
"Stephen Alderton, 66, of no fixed abode, has been charged with two counts of murder and one count of possession of a firearm and is due to appear at Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court on 1 April.
"He was arrested following the shootings of father and son Gary and Joshua Dunmore at properties in The Row, Sutton, and Meridian Close, Bluntisham, respectively.
"A 27-year-old man and 33-year-old woman, who were also arrested, have been released with no further action taken."
The force said they were investigating whether a custody battle was the motive behind the horrific killings.
Chief Supt Jon Hutchinson, of Cambridgeshire Police, said: "It's been widely reported in the media that this may relate to a custody battle. I can confirm that is an active line of inquiry."
Police said that post-mortem examinations will take place at Peterborough City Hospital on Monday.
A spokesperson from the "sleepy" village Bluntisham Parish Council said: "We are deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic incident which unfolded in our village last night.
"We'd also like to extend our sympathies to our neighbours in nearby Sutton, who will be feeling the same shock and sorrow following such an awful event affecting our two villages."
