The elderly husband of one of two women stabbed to death in a Victorian hair salon nearly 24 years ago, is in custody after facing court charged with their murders. Robert Penny, 83, of Malvern East, briefly appeared at Melbourne Magistrates court on Monday. He is charged with murdering Claire Acocks and his wife Margaret Penny at Old London Coiffure Hairdressers in Portland on May 3, 1991, about 350km west of Melbourne. Margaret Penny was murdered in a hair salon in Portland, Victoria on May 3, 1991 . Also brutally murdered at Old London Coiffure Hairdressers was Claire Acocks . Nearly 24 years after the horrific event Margaret's husband Robert Denny, 83, has been charged with two counts of murder . The women were found badly beaten, repeatedly stabbed, with their throats cut and were wrapped in black hair wraps, the Herald Sun reported. Unsteady on his feet in the dock, Penny was not required to speak during the hearing that lasted less than five minutes. His current wife was in court today, and the accused was seen waving at the woman - who reportedly has concerns about her elderly husband's health. Penny was not required to speak during the hearing on Monday that lasted less than five minutes . Homicide police investigator Tom Hogan - the police informant in the murder hearing - leaving the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday . Lawyer Rob Starry, who is representing Robert Penny, outside court on Monday . Police launched a cold case investigation into the murders in 2006, and Penny resurfaced as a suspect last year, despite being cleared of any involvement during the original investigation. He was remanded in custody to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court for a committal mention on July 6. In the meantime, he is expected to apply for bail in the Supreme Court on Monday afternoon. Penny was remanded in custody to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court for a committal mention on July 6, and is expected to apply for bail on Monday afternoon . Tim Acock, son of murder victim Claire Acocks, was also in attendance . Mr Acocks (right) was a young constable at the time of his mother's murder and one of the first at the scene . Members of Ms Acocks' family, including her son Tim - who was a young constable at the time and one of the first at the murder scene - were at the hearing. 'We are grateful for the determination of the homicide squad detectives who have continued to investigate this matter to endeavour to gain a resolution for us and justice for Claire,' they later said in a statement. The family said they were 'extremely encouraged' by the developments but would not comment further while the matter is before the courts. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
Robert Penny, 83, is charged with the murder of two women in 1991 .
One of the victims was his wife Margaret Penny, the other Claire Acocks .
Pair were found stabbed, their throats cut and were wrapped in hair wraps .
Penny was cleared of any involvement in the initial investigation .