Vitas Plytnykas, 40, and Aleksandras Skirda, 19, appeared in private at Forfar Sheriff Court on April 7 in connection with the death of Jolanta Bledaite.

The men, who lived in Brechin, Angus, were charged with her murder, attempting to defeat the ends of justice and theft.

Neither made any plea or declaration and they were remanded in custody.

The pair will appear at Forfar Sheriff Court for full committal.

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 April 1.

Her hands were later recovered by police. Further body parts found in a suitcase in Arbroath harbour on April 5.

A major investigation was launched following the discovery of the head, with uniformed officers, detectives, search officers and specialist members of police staff working on the case.

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