A retired fireman has appeared in court charged with bludgeoning to death his adopted son.

Colin McSweeny, 58, of Parry Road, South Norwood, is due to stand trial in June next year accused of murdering Shaun McSweeny, whose body was found by police in the boot of a  car in Evelyn Street, Deptford, last week.

The 24-year-old, who had a young daughter and was a former Croydon College construction student, was discovered by officers called at 3am on Friday to reports of someone trying to dump a body in the River Thames at Deptford Wharf.

A post-mortem examination found he was killed by a blunt force trauma to the head.

Police also arrested a woman in South Norwood, who was later released without charge.

Mr McSweeny appeared at the Old Bailey this morning, when he was remanded in custody until a plea and case management hearing on February 10.

A provisional trial date has been set for June 1. The trial is expected to last seven to ten days.