A man accused of murdering a Witney couple 20 years ago shouted as he left court today: “Don’t judge me until the facts come out.”

John Cooper, 64, was last night charged with murdering Peter and Gwenda Dixon in Pembrokeshire in 1989.

He has also been charged with murdering millionaire farmer Richard Thomas and his sister Helen at their burnt-out mansion near Milford Haven in 1985.

Mr and Mrs Dixon’s bodies were found after several days after they had been reported missing by their son Timothy.

They had gone away for a camping holiday in Pembrokeshire. The couple had both been shot.

Cooper was arrested on Wednesday by police reviewing their killings and charged with two sets of double murders, a rape, a serious sexual assault and five attempted robberies.

The charges were outlined at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court today.

The hearing lasted less than 10 minutes and Cooper spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.

Dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, he looked relaxed and smiled at a member of the public who gave him the thumbs-up in an apparent gesture of support.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Swansea Crown Court on May 27.

As he was led away he shouted: “Don’t judge me until the facts come out.”