Avtar and Carole Kolar were battered to death at their home in Birmingham
Avtar and Carole Kolar were battered to death at their home in Birmingham West Midlands Police

The suspected killer of a Birmingham couple, whose son is a police officer, will face a crown court trial.

Avtar Kolar, 62, and his wife Carole, 58, were found dead at their Handsworth Wood home on 11 January by their son Jason, a detective constable.

They had been battered to death with a blunt weapon, believed to be a lump hammer that was found at the scene.

Lithuanian Rimvydas Liorancas, 37, who lives in a hostel in the city's Winson Green district, was charged at Birmingham magistrates court with killing the couple.

He spoke only to confirm his name and address through an interpreter.

The motive for the murders had nothing to do with their son's job, the force's work with gangs or gold theft, West Midlands Police said.

The couple, married for 40 years, had four children and eight grandchildren.

The case was adjourned until Monday.

Gold