A man accused of murder after a fatal caravan fire in Newton Poppleford has failed to appear in court today for the second time in three days and has been remanded in custody.

Lewis Finch, 30, from Exmouth, did not appear at a short procedural hearing today and told Exeter Crown Court on Saturday he was too 'unwell' to show up to a hearing that morning. No bail application has been made.

The case was adjourned by Judge Peter Johnson due to Finch's non-appearance at today's hearing.

A plea and case management hearing will take place at Exeter Crown Court on Thursday, February 13.

He will be obliged to enter a plea, either in person or via video link.

Finch has been charged with the murder of Geoffrey Pearce, 47, who was found dead following a caravan fire in Newton Poppleford, at a scrapyard adjacent to the A3052, on January 9.

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