Three men have appeared at the Old Bailey accused of murdering a man whose body was found bound and burned in woodland three years ago.

Mohammed Shah Subhani, known as Shah, was reported missing on May 7, 2019, when he failed to return to his home in Hounslow, west London.

The 27-year-old’s remains were found by chance buried in woodland near Beaconsfield, on December 19 2019.

Although the cause of death has not been ascertained, an examination of bones suggested his hands were tied and there had been burning to the body.

It is alleged he was killed over a drug trafficking dispute, involving part of a 23kilo consignment of cannabis worth around £115,000.

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On the day of his disappearance, Mr Subhani, a father of one, was allegedly lured into a trap at a plumbing premises.

He was detained, tied up and killed before his body was disposed of, intended never to be found, it is claimed.

On Friday, brothers Amraj Poonia, 26, and Raneel Poonia, 25, along with Gurditta Singh, 25, were charged with his murder and perverting the course of justice.

The three men appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from Wandsworth prison on Tuesday and spoke to confirm their identities.

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Judge Mark Dennis QC set a timetable for the case with a plea hearing on September 16 and a trial of up to 12 weeks from April 11 next year.

There were sobs and gasps in the public gallery as the circumstances of Mr Subhani’s death were outlined in court.

Amraj Poonia, of Farmfield Drive, Horley, Surrey, Raneel Poonia, of Whitehouse Way, Slough, Berkshire, and Singh, 25, of Moreland Avenue, Slough, were remanded into custody.