A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a primary schoolteacher whose body was found in a park near her home in south-east London.

Koci Selamaj, 36, was accused of killing Sabina Nessa on Friday 17 September.

Selamaj, from Eastbourne in East Sussex, was taken from prison to Willesden magistrates court for a two-minute initial hearing on Tuesday morning, where he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

Umaima Peracha, prosecuting, read out the single charge or murder and district judge Denis Brennan told Selamaj his case would be sent to the Old Bailey, where he would receive a bail hearing on Thursday.

Speaking at Tuesday’s hearing, Selamaj’s lawyer, Aidan Harvey, indicated his client, who was wearing a grey tracksuit and blue surgical-style face covering, intended to plead not guilty.

Police believe Nessa left her home in the Kidbrooke area of south-east London at about 8.30pm on Friday 17 September and was making her way to the nearby Depot bar to meet a friend when she disappeared. Her body was found near the OneSpace community centre in Cator Park the following day.

Two other men, aged 38 and 41, who were previously arrested by police investigating Nessa’s death had already been released under investigation.