A 25-year-old Jamaican national has been charged with the murder of Arima businessman Sterling Francois, whose bloodied body was found inside his home last month.

Deandre Markland, of Holly Betaudier Avenue, Phase 4-2, Malabar, appeared before Master Lisa Singh-Phillip in the Criminal Court, North A, on Monday. The matter was adjourned to October 30 for a status hearing.

Markland was charged on July 4 by WPC Mohammed of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations, Region II, following legal advice from Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard.