TWO men accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice in connection with the murder of a Chinese national have appeared before York Magistrates’ Court.

The body of 38-year-old Chen Cai Guan, from Fujian, in China, was found in a canal near Selby, on March 20.

He died from serious head injuries and it is believed his body may have been in the water for several weeks before he was found by an off-duty police officer who was fishing at Burn Bridge, between the villages of Brayton and Burn.

Wang Shaozhe, 23, from Dong Bei, in China, and Chen Xia Hua, 27, from Fujian, also in China, have been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice by concealing evidence in relation to the murder of Mr Chen.

The court heard the alleged offences took place between January 15 – more than two months before the body of Mr Chen was discovered – and December 22.

During the preliminary hearing, the defendants used interpreters and spoke only to acknowledge their name and that they understood the charge.

Their solicitor did not apply for bail and the pair were remanded in custody until December 30 when they will appear before Leeds Crown Court.

On Tuesday, two other men, Bao Lung Huang, 44, from Fujian, in China, and Zhouli Zhang, 49, from Dong Bei, in China, appeared at York Magistrates’ Court charged with the murder of Mr Chen.

Detectives investigating the killing are asking for anyone who knew the victim, or has information about his death, to phone them on 0845 60 60 247, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.