A man and woman have appeared in court after the remains of a woman were found in a park in Croydon.

Gemma Watts, 48, and Steve Samson, 44, are charged with murder after 38-year-old Sarah Mayhew's remains were found in Rowdown Fields in New Addington last Tuesday (April 2).

Watts and Samson are alleged to have killed Sarah at some point between March 8 and April 2 this year and prevented the lawful and decent burial of a body within the same time period.

Samson, of Burnell Road, Sutton, has also been charged with three counts of making indecent images of a child during those dates.

The two defendants appeared in custody together at Bromley Magistrates’ Court via video link from a south London police station.

They spoke only to confirm their names, dates of birth and addresses.

Watts is from Holmbury Grove, Croydon.

Police were called to reports of possible human remains at 9am last Tuesday and the defendants were arrested on Saturday.

They remain in custody and will next appear at the Old Bailey on April 11.