THE body of a former worker at a West Norfolk vegetable plant lay undiscovered in a lake for almost four months, police revealed.Detectives now believe Michael Gilbert, 26, was killed between January 21 and 22, before his body was dismembered and dumped

THE body of a former worker at a West Norfolk vegetable plant lay undiscovered in a lake for almost four months, police revealed.

Detectives now believe Michael Gilbert, 26, was killed between January 21 and 22, before his body was dismembered and dumped in the Blue Lagoon at Arlesey, Beds.

The revelation came after brothers Robert and Richard Watt, from Luton, were yesterday remanded in custody charged with perverting the course of justice.

Mr Gilbert came from Luton and was last known to be living in Blackburn, Lancs. But he also worked for a time in King's Lynn and had a sister living in the town.

DCI Jon Humphries, from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire major crime unit, said: "Our enquiries are beginning to uncover the facts surrounding the murder of Michael Gilbert and as a result we have established that he was actually killed in January this year.

"Clearly this affects the time scales of the investigation and I would therefore like to renew my appeal for anyone who has information about what happened to Michael to contact the police.

"Our original appeal to people who frequent the Blue Lagoon in Arlesey only went back two weeks from when his body was discovered, on May 10.

"We clearly need to be appealing to anyone who may have seen someone, or people acting suspiciously near and around the lake four months ago.

"Anyone who was at the lake on Thursday, January 22 or thereafter is urged to come and speak to us."

Police also today released a statement from Mr Gilbert's mother, who asked not to be named.

"Michael was the third of five children and was known to everyone as the BFG - the Big Friendly Giant," she said.

"He was only 26 when he was murdered and we are still shocked by what has happened to him, words can not describe the anger we feel.

"Michael could be a pain but he wouldn't hurt a soul, he didn't have it in him. Michael loved football and computer games. He is not only missed by his brothers and sister but also by his nine nephews and pieces who are aged between two and seven.

"Michael has been brutally murdered, if anyone has information about what happened to him and why then please contact police and help bring his killers to justice."

Mr Gilbert worked in supermarkets in Luton as well as what police described as a vegetable producers in King's Lynn.

Earlier today the public gallery at Luton magistrates court was packed with people, many of them weeping, as Robert and Richard Watt, aged 19 and 24, appeared charged with perverting the course of justice between January 22 and May 13. JPs heard the charge relates to the disposal of the body.

No application for bail was made for either of the brothers and both were remanded in custody until a hearing at Luton Crown Court on June 2.