Businessman, 78, who owns luxury five-star hotel chain in Oxford and his sister, 71, are charged with murdering their 100-year-old mother

The pair have each been charged with one count of murder and one count of attempted murder. Both were released on bail.

Charges relate to the death of 100-year-old Pamela Mogford on February 15, 2022 in Bledlow Ridge, Buckinghamshire.

Thames Valley Police said in 2023 its major crime unit was investigating the circumstances surrounding Mrs Mogford's death.

Pickering, of Back Lane, Guildford and Mogford, of St Giles, Oxford are due to appear again at Oxford Crown Court on March 13, 2026.

Mogford started work in the hospitality industry in 1973 when he founded Browns Restaurant and Bar in Brighton.

He is also the owner of a series of independent hotels and restaurants, some of which are in historic city buildings dating back to Victorian and Georgian times.

His collection of hotels and restaurants includes the Old Bank Hotel, Old Parsonage Hotel, Quod Restaurant, Parsonage Grill and Gee's Restaurant.

The pair's mother, Pamela, was the daughter of an insurance broker.

She married Maj Peter Mogford in 1946 who had served in the British Army at Dunkirk and in North Africa, Cyprus, Italy and India.

The couple were married for 70 years until his death in 2015.

Mrs Mogford continued living in Bledlow Ridge, her home since her marriage.

A death notice, published in the Bucks Free Press and the Daily Telegraph, described Mrs Mogford as active in village life, 'fun-loving', 'always generating joy and laughter to many who feel privileged to have had her in their lives for so long'.

Mrs Mogford's funeral service took place at St Paul's Church in Bledlow Ridge.

A police spokesman said: 'Now that charges have been made, the force will not be in a position to provide any further details as proceedings are now active.'

By NOOR QURASHI, NEWS REPORTER