Murder charge is laid

A 32-year-old man has appeared in court charged with conspiracy to murder following the fatal shooting of his former boss, optometrist Giles Van Colle.
Iranian-born Daniel Lee Brougham of Christie Road, Stevenage, appeared at Horseferry Road Court, Westminster on June 15. He was charged with conspiracy to murder with others unknown on or before November 22, and the case has now gone before Old Bailey officials for pre-trial review.
The murder shocked LondonÕs Jewish community of which Mr Van Colle was a prominent member.
He was found slumped over the wheel of a car behind his GVC Optometrists practice in LondonÕs Mill Hill Broadway at 7.30pm on November 22 2000 (News, December 1). He was pronounced dead at the scene at 7.54pm.
A post-mortem at Northwick Park Hospital on November 23 gave the cause of death as gunshot wounds to the upper body.
Mr Van Colle had been involved with the evening clinics for pre-registration students at the Institute of Optometry. During his pre-reg year he attended the clinics, and then assisted with their operation for the following two years. He had to give it up when he set up his own practice, but planned to return.
Mr Van Colle was to be a prosecuting witness for a fraud case in Hertfordshire. It is understood that the case involved theft from GVC Optometrists.
Last year optician reported that a 32-year-old man was arrested at his home in Hertfordshire in connection with the murder (News, December 1).