But court hears he admits sending ‘red herring’ letters to investigating officers

A man accused of strangling a chambermaid has denied her murder but admitted sending letters to the police containing false information about the killing.

The body of 44-year-old Nijole Siskeviciene was found dumped outside garages in Lancelot Road, Wembley, on October 20, 1998.

The Lithuanian mother-of-one had moved to the area a week before after previously living in Harlesden and prior to that in Kilburn.

James Citro is accused of killing Ms Siskeviciene, who left behind a teenage son

He was arrested and charged in January – more than 12 years after the killing.

Today (Tuesday), he appeared before the Old Bailey via videolink where he denied her murder.

The 53-year-old who is originally from County Tipperary in Ireland, who was formerly known as James Kennedy, has admitted two counts of perverting the course of justice.

The court heard days after Ms Siskeviciene death he sent two separate letters to the police with false details about the murder.

Judge Giles Forrester QC set a trail date for October 10.

The case is expected to last two weeks.

Citro, who now lives in Somerset, was remanded in custody.