A man from Harlesden accused of the murder of his girlfriend whose body was found in a suitcase in a canal in Little Venice will stand trial in October.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Police at the Grand Union Canal scene. Photo: Jack Hardy/PA WirePolice at the Grand Union Canal scene. Photo: Jack Hardy/PA Wire (Image: PA/Press Association Images)

Tomasz Kocik, 38, of Buckingham Road, allegedly killed 23 year-old Marta Ligman and dumped her in the Grand Union Canal.

It is thought Miss Ligman, who worked in a Polish delicatessen near the home she shared with Kocik, had been dead for up to two weeks.

Her body was discovered on Sunday afternoon.

Kocik appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from Wandsworth prison for a short preliminary hearing.

No bail application was made and he was remanded in custody by the Recorder of London, Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC.

He will next appear in court for a plea and case management hearing on July 31.

He is expected to stand trial at the Old Bailey on 12 October. The case is estimated to last three weeks.