A man has denied the murder of a police officer he is accused of strangling and dismembering after meeting on a dating app.

Stefano Brizzi, 50, allegedly killed Gordon Semple at his London flat some time between April 1 and April 7 this year.

The 59-year-old went missing on April 1 and his remains were discovered a week later after a neighbour alerted Scotland Yard to a "smell of death" coming from a property on an estate in south London.

Mr Semple was originally from Inverness and had been with the Metropolitan Police for 30 years.

Brizzi appeared at the Old Bailey via video-link from Belmarsh Prison on Friday.

He spoke only to confirm his identity and plead not guilty to one count of murder.

Recorder of London Nicholas Hilliard set a provisional trial date for October 18 and the case is expected to last three days.