Husband charged with 1991 Portland murders

The 83-year-old husband of a woman found dead in a Victorian hair salon in 1991 has been charged with her murder.

Margaret Penny and Claire Acocks were found murdered at the Old London Coiffure Hairdressers in Portland.

Robert Penny appeared briefly in Melbourne Magistrates Court today charged with two counts of murder.

Unsteady on his feet in the dock, Mr Penny was not required to speak during the hearing that lasted less than five minutes.

In 2006 police launched a cold case investigation into the murders that shocked the picturesque coastal town on the state's far southwest coast.

The women were stabbed to death and had their throats cut in the shampoo room of the salon in Bentinck Street, but police could not find a motive for the attack.

Mr Penny resurfaced as a suspect last year, despite being cleared of any involvement during the original investigation.

Convicted serial killer and rapist Peter Dupas was also cleared of the crime.

Mr Penny 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 this afternoon.