A 35-YEAR-OLD chef appeared before Bolton magistrates on Monday charged with the murder of a barman at the Last Drop Hotel.

Roberto Borroneo Abo, of Watery Lane, Darwen, also faced chargeds of assault and a kidnapping .

The chef was charged 48 hours after George Waithaka, aged 34, was discovered dead in a room at the four star hotel in Bromley Cross early on Thursday.

A post mortem examination revealed he died of a single stab wound to the chest.

Borroneo Abo, wearing a blue jumper, spoke only to confirm his details at the brief hearing at Bolton Magistrates Court. He was remanded in custody to appear at Manchester Crown Court on Monday March 24.

There were no applications for bail.

Mr Waithaka, who is married with one child, came to England from Kenya to find work.

A woman from the south of England who broke her arm during the hotel incident has been discharged from the Royal Bolton Hospital. Borroneo Abo has lived in Darwen since he started work at the Last Drop Hotel four months ago.

His arrest has shocked residents living in the area.

A shop assistant at M & J Pedder off licence and grocers at the bottom of Watery Lane said: "People are friendly around here. I don't know who this man is but I am very surprised by all this."

Mr Borroneo Abo was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital after his arrest suffering from the affects of CS spray.

He was released from hospital the same night to be questioned by detectives at Astley Bridge Police Station and was charged after detectives were granted a 36-hour extension to continue interviewing him.