The man accused of murdering a Greenhithe policeman has appeared at the Old Bailey.

Stefano Brizzi, 49, was charged with killing PC Gordon Semple, who was reported missing by his partner Gary when he failed to return to their home in Hayes Road on April 1.

After a week-long manhunt, his remains were uncovered at a flat in Southwark, London.

Brizzi appeared via prison video link this morning in front of the Recorder of London, Nicholas Hilliard QC.

The case was listed for plea and trial preparation but has been adjourned until September.

A trial date has already been fixed for Tuesday, October 18.

Italian graduate and social worker, Brizzi, was remanded in custody.

Mr Semple had been on duty and had attended a meeting at the Shangri-La Hotel in The Shard near London Bridge.

He was last seen on CCTV about half a mile away from the Southwark flats, three hours after leaving The Shard.

He had been a serving officer for 30 years with the Metropolitan Police and worked in an anti-social behaviour unit with Westminster council at the time of his death.

He used to get the train home from work, get off at Stone Crossing, and, on his walk back, would stop into the Lads of The Village pub for a pint.

His brother, Ronnie Semple, said: “On behalf of Gordon’s partner Gary, my wife Maureen, Gordon’s nephew Paul, niece Kerry and I, I would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts during the past dreadful week. It has been a terrible time for us all, especially Gary.”

His niece, Kerry Nicholas, described him as “very outgoing, sociable and friendly” and “a happy-go-lucky kind of guy”.