Rahim Mohammadi, 40, of Haggerston, was charged on Sunday with killing the pensioner at a lock-up store in Sheaveshill Avenue.

The 80-year-old grandmother, who was also well-known by her maiden name of Lea Hulselman, had been reported missing last Tuesday at 1.40am and her body was discovered at the allotment, where she was secretary, by police 25 minutes later.

A post mortem report subsequently revealed she had been strangled.

Mohammadi, of Goldsmiths Row, was arrested on Friday and charged last Sunday night.

He appeared at the Old Bailey yesterday assisted by an interpreter and spoke only to confirm his name.

A provisional trial date of July 10 was set with a plea hearing on May 23.