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.

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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).

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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.