A man accused of murdering missing Jamie Gilbey has failed to attend his first Old Bailey hearing.

Police had launched a murder inquiry following the disappearance of 20-year-old Mr Gilbey.

Officers had believed Mr Gilbey, from the Crystal Palace area of south London, had come to harm after he was last been seen on January 27.

Dejour Jones, 24, of no fixed address, was charged on Friday with his murder some time between January 27 and February 6.

On Tuesday, a body was recovered from an area of South Norwood lake and woodland in south London.

The identity of the body is unconfirmed but Mr Gilbey’s family had been notified, Scotland Yard said.

On Wednesday, Jones was due to attend a hearing at the Old Bailey by video link from Belmarsh prison.

However, the court heard that he had declined to attend although he was represented by a barrister.

Judge Simon Mayo QC set a plea hearing for May 25 and remanded the defendant into custody.

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