A serving Metropolitan police officer will face trial on 25 October, charged with the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard.

PC Wayne Couzens, 48, appeared via video link from prison for the hearing in court number 10 at the Old Bailey, his first crown court appearance.

He wore a wine coloured top and grey tracksuit and spoke only to confirm his name and his date of birth.

A scar was visible on the officer’s forehead and around his left eye.

The Independent Office for Police Complaints is investigating how he received those injuries in two incidents in his police cell last week.

Members of Ms Everard’s family also joined the proceedings by video link.

In a short hearing, Tom Little QC for the prosecution said that it was anticipated the trial could span up to four weeks.

Ms Everard disappeared on 3 March while walking back to her home in Brixton, south London.

She was last spotted on a doorbell security camera, walking alone and heading towards Tulse Hill.

Her boyfriend reported her missing the next day.

Ms Everard’s body was found a week later inside a builder’s bag in woodland in Ashford and was identified through dental records.

A post-mortem has been carried out but no cause of death has been released.

Scotland Yard and the Crown Prosecution Service agreed last Friday to charge PC Couzens, an armed officer with the Met’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command.

Kent County Council has confirmed that an inquest into Sarah Everard’s death is likely to be opened later this week.

At today’s crown court hearing, there was no application for bail the defendant was remanded back into custody.

He will appear at crown court again for a plea and trial preparation hearing on 9 July.

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