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Teenager in court for Flo murder

From the archive, first published Tuesday 13th Jan 2004.

A teenager has appeared in court charged with murdering a 69-year-old woman found stabbed to death at Plymouth bus station.

Ian Hartshorn, 18, appeared at Plymouth Magistrates' Court charged with murdering Florence Seccombe, also known as Florence Wherly, last October.

The teenager, of no fixed abode, faces a second charge of breaking into Yarmouth Stores, Southside Street, Plymouth, on the same date and stealing three knives and a wallet worth £28.38.

Hartshorn, dressed in a grey sweater, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.

District Judge Paul Farmer adjourned the case until January 20 when Hartshorn will attend a preliminary hearing at Plymouth Crown Court. The teenager was remanded in custody.

Florence Seccombe was found dead at Plymouth's Bretonside Bus Station just before 6am on October 18, 2003. She died from a stab wound to the neck.

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