Man in court accused of murdering 82-year-old

A man has appeared at the Old Bailey accused of murder after an 82-year-old man was stabbed 20 times in his north London home.

Billy O'Reilly, 53, of Royal Free Square, Islington appeared via videolink from Wandsworth prison accused of attacking Paul Ratledge in Camden on 4 March.

The victim's body was found the following day, after police were called to West End Lane at around 11:25 GMT, over concerns for his welfare.

O'Reilly spoke only to confirm his identity and was remanded into custody.

Officers attended with paramedics and confirmed that the pensioner had died.

The court heard how Ratledge had suffered 20 stab wounds, three of which were fatal injuries.

A preliminary cause of death was given as sharp force trauma to the neck and heart.

O'Reilly was arrested inside the property by officers and charged with murder on 7 March.

Judge Richard Marks KC set a plea and case management hearing for 17 July and a provisional two-week trial from 11 January next year.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk