An Italian accused of killing and dismembering a Kent police officer has appeared at the Old Bailey.

Wearing black aviator-style sunglasses, social worker Stefano Brizzi, 49, appeared charged with the murder of PC Gordon Semple after he disappeared in London while on duty.

The officer was reported missing by his partner, Gary Meeks, after he failed to return to their Greenhithe home on Friday, April 1.

Brizzi was arrested at his flat in the Peabody Estate in Southwark Street, when PC Semple's remains were discovered last Thursday lunchtime - six days after he went missing .

He is accused of murdering PC Semple at some point during the six-day period.

A balding and bearded Brizzi seemed relaxed as he appeared before Judge Nicholas Hilliard.

James Scobie QC, defending Brizzi, apologised for him appearing unshaven.

He said: "On behalf of the defendant he says through me to apologise to the court. He wanted to come in shaved but there have been issues as to that."

Wearing a prison-issue grey jumper and the black sunglasses he leant forward in the dock as he listened to the proceedings.

Brizzi was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on April 20. He is due to enter a plea on June 29.

The officer, originally from Inverness, Scotland, went missing after leaving a meeting at the five-star Shangri La hotel in The Shard skyscraper at around 12.30pm.

CCTV cameras then picked him up nearly three hours hours later in nearby Great Guildford Street.

Brizzi and calls himself Stef, was arrested at his home on Thursday and was charged with murder on Saturday.

PC Semple, who was an antisocial behaviour officer with Westminster City Council, lived with his partner Mr Meeks, 49, in Greenhithe.

After the family announced his death on Facebook, his brother, Ronnie Semple, said: "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.

"Gordon will be sadly missed by all of his immediate family, his colleagues in the Met Police, former Bank of Scotland colleagues in Inverness and London, friends from his Tartan Army Days, but most of all the hardest loss is for Gary at this time."

Gordon leaves behind his partner Gary, brother Ronnie, sister-in-law Maureen, nephew Paul and niece Kerry Nicholas.