Husband of 16-year-old Louise Smith's cousin appears in court charged with teenager's murder after her body was found in woods

• Louise Smith, 16, was found dead in a woodland near her home in Havant, Hants
• Shane Mays, 29, appeared before Portsmouth Magistrates' Court this morning
• He spoke only to confirm his name and address, wearing a black T-shirt

The husband of 16-year-old Louise Smith's cousin today appeared in court charged with the teenager's murder. 

Shane Mays, 29, spoke only to confirm his name and address as he appeared before Portsmouth Magistrates' Court this morning.

The defendant, whose wife Cjay Mays was Louise's cousin, was charged on Thursday night after initially being arrested for kidnap.  

On his indictment, read to the court, it states Mays is accused of murdering Louise in Havant, Hants, on May 8 - the same day she went missing.

On May 21, police discovered Louise's body in Havant Thicket, a large dense woodland site which is a mile and a half from Mays's flat, where the teenager was believed to be staying.  

In a two-minute hearing at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court, Mays - who has short, dark hair with a dark beard and was wearing a black T-shirt - confirmed his name, address, and date of birth. 

When asked what his nationality was, he answered 'white' and when asked about his postcode he replied 'I don't know what it is'.

District Judge Gary Lucie adjourned the case until Tuesday at Winchester Crown Court, Hants.

He said: 'Mr Mays you are charged with murder which cannot be dealt with here and I can't grant you bail.

'Either way I'm going to send you to Winchester Crown Court where you will appear in front of a judge.'

Police have also been desperately trying to establish her movements between then and her body being discovered.

Louise's devastated mother, 39 year old Rebecca Cooper, paid tribute to her daughter by posting a photograph of them together with the caption 'so proud of my girl Louise' on Saturday night.

Over the bank holiday members of Louise's community have been laying flowers at the entrance to the Thicket, with more than 100 bouquets by its gate. Purple balloons - believed to be the schoolgirl's favourite colour - were also added to the tribute.

Many notes read 'RIP' while one said: 'Your life was only just beginning, rest in peace beautiful girl. Fly high Louise.' Another read: 'God bless you darling, fly high with the angels.'

Family friend Jackie Meredith laid a bouquet and described Louise as 'girly' and urged police to get to the bottom of the investigation.

Mrs Meredith said: 'She was just your typical teenager, she was a bubbly and funny girl.

'She was a bit girly like teenage girls are, I really can't express how lovely she was.

'What has happened is disgusting, it's just so sad. I really hope the police find out what happened to her, whatever it was.'

Mrs Meredith said she believed Louise had a boyfriend and had finished school. One Havant local said Louise was studying A-levels at nearby South Downs College.

Despite her body being found on Thursday it was several days before her identity was confirmed.

Today's hearing, officially a Portsmouth Magistrates' Court hearing, was held next door at the much larger Portsmouth Crown Court due to lockdown restrictions.