A CHEF appeared before Bolton magistrates yesterday charged with the murder of a 34-year-old barman at the Last Drop hotel and leisure complex.

Roberto Borroneo Abo, aged 35, of Watery Lane, Darwen, was remanded in custody to appear at Manchester Crown Court on Monday, March 24. Abo faced a count of section 18 assault and faced a kidnapping charge.

Barman George Waithaka, aged 34, a married father-of-one from Kenya, was found dead in a room at the four-star hotel in Bromley Cross early last Thursday. A post mortem examination revealed he died of a single stab wound to the chest.

Mr Waithaka has not yet been formally identified. But police today said his family has been informed and are due to arrive in the country this week.