A THIRD man has appeared before the Crown Court charged with the murder of Bradford bus driver Asghar Badshah.

Mr Badshah, 39, was kidnapped from Mayo Road in Bradford in the early hours of November 30, 2019.

His body was recovered from the old bank in Commercial Street in Batley the following month.

Today, a 34-year-old man from Berkshire appeared before Leeds Crown Court charged with his murder and conspiracy to kidnap.

Liam Buckley, of Lynwood Crescent in Sunningdale, was remanded back into custody by the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Guy Kearl QC, after being produced in court for the short hearing.

Daniel Murray, Buckley’s barrister, said he wasn’t making a bail application today.

Four other people have previously been charged in connection with the case and they appeared in court earlier this year.

Qaisar Shah, 36, of Mayo Crescent in Bradford, and Sabbah Shahmuradi, 36, of French's Wells in Woking, face charges of murder and conspiracy to kidnap.

Shah is also charged with conspiracy to possess criminal property.

Sobia Syed, 37, from Henna Close, Bradford, and Zaban Syed, 60, from Mayo Road, Bradford, are also charged with conspiracy to possess criminal property.

A five-week trial was already set to begin at Bradford Crown Court on January 11.

Judge Kearl said the Recorder of Bradford, Judge Richard Mansell QC, will set a date to progress Buckley’s case on a day convenient to all parties.