Vitas Plytnykas, 40, and Aleksandras Skirda, 19, appeared in private at Forfar Sheriff Court in connection with the death of Jolanta Bledaite.

The men, who lived in Brechin, Angus, were both charged with her murder, attempting to defeat the ends of justice and theft. Neither made any plea or declaration.

Ms Bledaite, who was working as a casual labourer, also lived in Brechin.

The 35-year-old woman's head was found in a plastic bag on a beach in Arbroath by sisters aged eight and 11 on Tuesday.

Her hands were later recovered by police.

Forensic workers are examining further body parts found in a suitcase in Arbroath harbour on Saturday.

The case was recovered by a member of Grampian Police's specialist Underwater Search and Rescue Dive Team.

A major investigation was launched following the discovery of the head, and a flat in Earlsden House in Brechin's Southesk Street was sealed off by police. The building houses migrant workers from Eastern Europe.

Ms Bledaite, from Alytus in Lithuania, had been in the UK for around 18 months. She was reported missing by her employer.