A couple accused of killing a French nanny face fresh charges of attempting to hide the crime by burning the body.
The charred remains of Sophie Lionnet, 21, were discovered in the garden of a £1million house in Southfields, south-west London, on September 20.
At first police were unable to identify the body but later confirmed it was that of Ms Lionnet, who was originally from Troyes in north-east France.
Designer Sabrina Kouider, 34, and her partner Ouissem Medouni, 40, of Wandsworth, south London, are charged with her murder on or before September 20.
Sabrina Kouider and her partner Ouissem Medouni are charged with the murder of a nanny
The remains of Sophie Lionnet (pictured) were found in the garden of a south London home
They now also face a second charge of perverting the course of justice by attempting to ‘dispose of the body of Sophie Lionnet by burning’.
Kouider appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from custody before Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC.
Wearing a grey tracksuit with a dark grey sweater tied around her shoulders, she spoke to confirm her identity from Bronzefield prison.
She was helped to follow the hearing by a French interpreter but was not asked to enter any pleas to the charges she faces.
Her partner, who is also in custody, was not produced in court.
The defendants face a four-week trial starting on March 19 next year. Judge Hilliard ordered a further plea hearing to be set in the New Year.
Kouider, who was brought up in Paris, was arrested after neighbours smelt burning in the area
A body bag is removed from the south London home following the death in September
Kouider was born and brought up in Paris but moved to the UK around 15 years ago, living in Queensway west London before moving to the Southfields flat where the au pair’s body was found.
Police were called in after neighbours noticed smoke and a foul stench emanating from the couple’s home in Southfields where the au pair’s body was found.
Neighbours said the French-Algerian mother, who claims to work as a stylist, make-up artist, fashion designer and songwriter, ‘had a lot of money’ and a busy social life, relying on her nanny to work long hours for £50 a month.
On social media, Miss Kouider posed for glamorous pictures on nights out at various restaurants.
After the death, a friend of victim Miss Lionnet said she can come to Britain to learn English, but found life here ‘very difficult’.
The killing caused shock in the area, which is a short distance from the Wimbledon tennis club
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