Man charged with killing US socialite

A NOTTS man has appeared in court charged with murdering a wealthy London socialite found in his flat with head injuries.

David Jeffs, a financial adviser from Arnold, appeared before magistrates yesterday.

Roberto Charles Troyan, 63, who was known as Robert, was found at his home in Mount Street, Mayfair, on March 8.

He was the former partner of late architect and interior designer Anthony Feldman, who had worked for Jonathan Aitken and Princess Michael of Kent.

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Mr Jeffs, 36, of Larch Close, was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on Friday after a brief appearance at Croydon Magistrates' Court yesterday morning.

Neighbours of Mr Jeffs spoke of their shock at the case.

They said Mr Jeffs' appearance in court followed searches at his house by the Met Police this week.

One neighbour, who did not want to give their name, said: "I'm absolutely shocked.

"For a couple of days there was a police car outside his house. We had heard a guy from the Met Police had come up.

"Then on Tuesday a grey van turned up and a load of police officers got out and covered themselves in white suits, hats and gloves and disappeared inside.

"We're very surprised, it's a very quiet street."

Another neighbour of Mr Jeffs, who did not want to give their name, added: "There were forensic people here yesterday, there were police cars and a van.

"It was quite a major thing, there's never anything like that around here."

Mr Jeffs works at HFM Columbus, a partnership of financial and wealth management firms, with offices in Surrey and London.

Police believe Mr Troyan was attacked before 4pm on the day he died, and are still appealing for witnesses to come forward.

An ambulance was called but Mr Troyan was pronounced dead at the scene.

A friend told the Evening Standard last week he was an antique collector.

Mr Troyan and Anthony Feldman were among the first in London to enter into a civil partnership, in December 2005, eight days before Mr Feldman died of pancreatic cancer.

An obituary for Mr Feldman in The Times mentioned Mr Troyan, saying: "They were both immensely kind and generous to people in need and to charities for the homeless. Trudi Styler enlisted them for her and Sting's campaign for Tibet."

The Met Police have appealed for anyone who saw anything suspicious in Mount Street to contact them on 020 8721 4066 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.