A woman is set to face trial accused of battering her 72-year-old landlord to death and stabbing his cat to death.

Habiba Haveed, 34, is said to have killed her landlord Christopher Brown and his cat Snow at their shared home on Polsted Road, Catford, on the evening of August 14.

Police launched an investigation after Mr Brown's body was discovered the following day.

Mr Brown's other tenant is believed to have called 999 on his return to the property in the early hours of August 15.

Naveed was arrested on the same day on suspicion of murder and taken to a south London police station where she was later charged with murder and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

A post-mortem examination found that Mr Brown, who worked for a firm of solicitors, died from blunt force trauma.

The house cat, Snow, was also found dead having been stabbed in the neck.

On Tuesday (August 20) unemployed Naveed was not produced from Bronzefield prison for her first appearance at the Old Bailey but was represented by a lawyer.

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Prosecutor Kerry Broome told the court: “The defendant is suspected of murdering her landlord/friend.

“The house cat was found deceased at the property as well.”

She added: “The offence seems to be violent and sustained.”

Judge Judy Khan KC set a plea hearing for November 5 and ordered that the defendant remain in custody.