Golf Course Body

12 September 2010, 09:41 | Updated: 13 September 2010, 14:59

Three men were remanded in custody today when they appeared in court charged in connection with the murder of a man whose badly-burnt body was found on a golf course.


Stefan Welch, 37, was discovered by golfers as they walked between the 17th and 18th holes at Dyke Golf Club on the outskirts of Brighton just before noon on September 4.

He probably died from a blow to the head, a post-mortem examination found.

Sean Cirus Iran, 21, of St Richards Road, Portslade, Brighton, is charged with the murder of Mr Welch.

He was also charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice along with Babak Iran, 44, and Navid Iran, 23, of the same address.

Mr Welch, who lived at the Phase One hostel in Oriental Place, Brighton, was known to police and was identified after a DNA sample provided a match on the national database.

The three charged men will next appear at Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday, a spokesman for Sussex Police said.

Stefan Welch's family released the following tribute on Wednesday afternoon:

"We love Stefan very much and cannot adequately put into words our heartbreak at this time. We know that we are not alone in our grief as he was loved by a wide circle of friends and others who knew him.

"Stefan was not a violent or malicious man and relied on the trust and support of those around him, who we believe took to him as soon as they met him.

"We have lost our son and brother and we appeal to anyone who can assist the police in their investigation to please help Stefan for one last time if they can."