A former Metropolitan Police detective is one of five men who will stand trial in April in connection with the murder of a Croydon private investigator 21 years ago.

Daniel Morgan, 37, originally from Monmouthshire, was found with an axe embedded in his head outside the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham on March 10, 1987.

Mr Morgan's ex-business partner William Rees, James Cook and brothers Glenn and Garry Vian are charged with murder.

Ex-detective Sidney Fillery is charged with perverting the course of justice.

Rees, 53, of Weybridge, Cook, 53, of Tadworth, Glenn Vian, 50, of south Croydon, and Fillery, 62, of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, appeared at the Old Bailey via videolink yesterday.

Garry Vian, 48, of no fixed address, did not appear, but was represented by lawyers in court.

No pleas were entered and all five were remanded in custody.

A trial date was fixed for April 21 next year.

Mr Morgan died after being repeatedly struck with an axe after meeting a business partner in the pub.

The axe, which was still imbedded in Mr Morgan's head when his body was found, had two sticky plaster strips wrapped around the handle.

Mr Morgan's £900 Rolex watch was missing but the £1,100 cash he was carrying was still in his pocket.