A former member of the Nazi SS has been read murder charges in a German court relating to the wartime deaths of three Dutch civilians.

Heinrich Boere, 88, is charged with shooting the three in 1944. He has previously acknowledged the killings, as reprisals against the resistance.

Mr Boere also heard a written plea from a relative of one the deceased, asking him to openly admit responsibility.

Reports say throughout the hearing, the accused sat motionless in a wheelchair.