Sabina Nessa: Man accused of London teacher's 'predatory' murder appears in court

ITV News' Sejal Karia summarises what was learnt at the court hearing

A man has appeared in court accused of the "premeditated and predatory" murder of primary school teacher Sabina Nessa.

Koci Selamaj, 36, allegedly attacked the 28-year-old as she walked through Cator Park in Kidbrooke, south-east London, on her way to meet a friend on September 17.

It is claimed her attacker used a 2ft long weapon to hit her repeatedly before carrying her away unconscious.

The body of Sabina Nessa, who taught a year one class at Rushey Green Primary School in Catford, was found nearly 24 hours later covered with leaves near a community centre in the park.

A post-mortem examination has yet to confirm the exact cause of her death but the attack was said to have involved "extreme violence".

Selamaj, from Eastbourne, East Sussex, was arrested in the seaside town in the early hours of Sunday and charged with her murder on Monday.

A Nissan Micra was seized in a residential street about half-a-mile away. Selamaj, who is originally from Albania, appeared at the Old Bailey on Thursday.

Prosecutor Alison Morgan QC told the court it was a "premeditated and predatory" stranger attack and there was no suggestion the defendant knew Ms Nessa.

During the hearing, the defendant, who has already indicated he will deny murder, spoke to confirm his name and date of birth before a timetable for the case was set.

Dressed in a prison-issue green and yellow top, he appeared in court by video link from Wormwood Scrubs helped by an Albanian interpreter in court.

Judge Lucraft set a plea hearing for December 16 and remanded the defendant into custody.