A man accused of strangling and dismembering a police officer from Greenthithe, who he met on gay dating app Grindr, has appeared in court.
Italian Stefano Brizzi, 50, allegedly murdered 59-year-old PC Gordon Semple at his London flat some time between April 1 and April 7.
Mr Semple was originally from Inverness in Scotland and had been with the Metropolitan Police for 30 years.
Greenhithe policeman Gordon Semple
He went missing on April 1 and his remains were discovered a week later after a neighbour alerted Scotland Yard to a "smell of death" coming from a property on the Peabody Estate in Southwark Street, south London.
The defendant appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from Belmarsh prison today (June 29).
Stefano Brizzi during a previous court hearing
Wearing sunglasses and a white and beige tracksuit, he spoke only to confirm his name, despite being expected to enter a plea.
Prosecutor Crispin Aylett QC asked for the plea hearing to be put back to September 9.
Recorder of London Nicholas Hilliard QC has already set a provisional date for Brizzi to face trial on October 18.
Judge Hilliard agreed the new timetable and remanded Brizzi in custody until the next hearing.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here