A homeless man accused of the rape and murder of an 89-year-old woman in her own home has undergone psychiatric assessment a court heard.

Reece Dempster, 23, appeared at the Old Bailey yesterday (Thursday, October 24) charged with murder, rape, burglary and two counts of sexual assault against Dorothy Woolmer.

He was due to enter a plea to the charges, but the case was adjourned after his defence barrister Gerwyn Wise asked for more time to consider psychiatric reports.

Mr Wise said: "There's an application for a four week adjournment.

"More time is needed in order to finalise the issues for his trial, principally to reflect on expert reports which are being obtained."

Enfield Independent:

Police outside Ms Woolmer's home in Spottons Grove, Tottenham on August 5 2019. Photo: SWNS

Dempster, with short receding dark hair, sideburns and a goatee beard, wore a red t-shirt and a small silver neck chain when he appeared via videolink from Belmarsh maximum security prison in south east London.

He frowned and had crossed his arms throughout the administrative hearing.

The body of Ms Woolmer - known to frioends and family as 'Dot' was found in a bedroom at her home in Tottenham, north London, in August .

Her family said in a statement that she was "wonderful, beautiful woman who was full of life".

They said she "always had something to talk about" and was "extremely self-sufficient".

Dempster, of no fixed abode but who has links to the Tottenham area, is expected to enter pleas at his next court appearance on November 28.