KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent (CMC):

A 36-year-old contractor appeared in the Serious Offences Court here yesterday charged with the murder of two women, including a Jamaican national.

A large crowd gathered outside the building as Winston Nicolls made a court appearance charged with the murder of Jamaican Suzzette Brooks, 58, and her friend and helper Aretha Caine 30.

Their bodies were discovered in a rented house near the Prime Minister's official residence on May 30.

Nicolls is reported to be a former companion of Caine. He appeared before Chief Magistrate Simone Churman and was not called upon to plea on the indictable charge.