Man charged with murder of 74-year-old woman

Pepita Sakirecili, whose body was found in January, is thought to have died before Christmas

A man has been charged with killing a 74-year-old woman whose body was found in her north London home.

Pepita Sakirecili, also known as Pepita Garcia, was discovered after officers forced entry into the property on Reynardson Road, Tottenham, on 13 January following a call about concerns for her wellbeing.

Detectives believe she died the previous month. A post-mortem examination found the cause of death was blunt-force trauma.

Dominic Whitton, 41, of Reynardson Road, was initially charged in January with preventing a lawful burial. He was later accused of murder and manslaughter and appeared on 6 October at Wood Green Crown Court where he denied all charges, police said.

Mr Whitton is due to appear again at the same court on 12 December.