A man accused of murdering two women in a suspected stabbing at a block of flats on Christmas Day has appeared in court.

Joanne Pearson, 38, and Teohna Grant, 24, were pronounced dead at the scene in Santa Cruz Avenue, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, after police arrived at 18:36 GMT on 25 December.

Jazwell Brown, 49, of Santa Cruz Avenue, has appeared at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court, charged with two counts of murder.

He spoke only to confirm his name, age and address and was remanded in custody until a further hearing at Luton Crown Court on Tuesday.

Mr Brown has also been charged with the attempted murder of Bradley Latter, 29, and of a teenage boy.

The pair were found seriously injured at the address on Christmas Day and taken to hospital, where they remained in a stable condition.

Thames Valley Police has said that a Staffordshire bull terrier dog, that was initially thought to have been killed in the incident, survived.

Mr Brown also faces charges of possessing a knife, blade or sharp-pointed article in a public place and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Magistrate Bernard Crossey held a short silence out of respect for the victims following the hearing.

Police previously said they were supporting the families of those involved.

The nearby St Joseph’s church is due to open its school hall from 16:00 to 19:00 on Sunday in the wake of the deaths.

In a post on Facebook, it said the doors would be opened for those seeking a “moment of quiet contemplation or prayer, to light a candle or simply to have a cup of tea and a chat”.