THE HUSBAND of Dorset nurse Rui Li has appeared in court charged with her murder.

Pierre Legris is accused of murdering his 44-year-old wife at their home in Burnham Drive, Bournemouth, between May 22 and May 31.

Legris spoke only to confirm his name and address at Bournemouth Magistrates Court yesterday morning.

The 60-year-old will next appear at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday, June 4.

A major police investigation was launched after Rui was reported missing on Tuesday last week.

The mother-of-one was last seen on Friday May 23 after finishing work at Poole Hospital.

A body, which detectives believed to be Rui, was discovered in the boot of a silver Fiat Punto in Verwood Crescent, Bournemouth, on Friday evening.

It is not yet known how she died.

On Sunday evening Pierre Legris’ son, Jonathon Legris, was charged with assisting an offender in connection with the alleged murder.

The 26-year-old is due to appear before magistrates on June 17.

Rui’s 18-year-old daughter Lu Yao was sat in court supported by friends as her stepfather appeared in the dock.

Police are continuing to appeal for anyone with information about the disappearance of Rui Li to come forward.

In particular detectives are appealing to anyone who saw a large white Ford Transit van with the registration plate Y491 GFT between Saturday May 24 and Wednesday May 28 or a silver Fiat Punto with the registration plate W887 PDL prior to Friday, May 30, to contact police.

Anyone with information is asked to call Dorset Police on 101 quoting Operation Timekeeper or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.