US woman in court over shop owner murder plot charge

An American woman has appeared in a UK court charged with conspiracy to murder the owner of a Birmingham clothing shop as well as members of his family.

Aimee Betro, from Wisconsin, was extradited from Armenia where she was arrested last summer over the allegations from 8 September 2019.

The 45-year-old has also been charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and is alleged to have been involved in the importation of ammunition from the US into the UK.

Ms Betro, who appeared before magistrates in Birmingham, indicated she would deny all charges. She was remanded into custody ahead of the next hearing at Birmingham Crown Court in February.

Ms Betro's solicitor did not ask for bail but District Judge John Bristow said any application would have been refused.

He said she was a US citizen with loose links to this country, who had been extradited, which meant there were "substantial grounds" to believe she would not surrender to custody.

Ms Betro had been flown into Gatwick Airport on Thursday.

She appeared at the five-minute hearing wearing a grey top and glasses, with her blonde hair braided.

She spoke to confirm her name, date of birth and address in Armenia, before the case was adjourned until 14 February for a preliminary hearing.