A Camden builder accused of raping and murdering a 17-year-old more than 30 years ago has today appeared before a judge via video link from prison

James Warnock, 56, is accused of strangling and raping Yiannoulla Yianni at her family home in Belsize Road, South Hampstead, on August 3 1982.

Warnock, a heavily built man was dressed in a blue t-shirt for a preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey by video link this morning.

The builder, of Harrington Street, Camden Town, spoke only to confirm his name to the court and will reappear for a case management hearing on April 4.

Warnock, who was 23 at the time of the schoolgirl’s death, did not enter pleas to the charges of rape and murder.

No bail application was made and he was remanded in custody.

Yiannoulla went to Quintin Kynaston School, in St John’s Wood, and worked part-time at Woolworths in Finchley Road.

A murder inquiry was launched by the Met on August 13 1982, after Yiannoulla’s parents found their daughter’s body at the family home

Detectives interviewed more than 1,000 people in connection with the case and put up a £10,000 reward for information but made no arrests until this month.