A designer accused of murder following the discovery of charred human remains in a garden sobbed in court and shouted repeatedly: “J’ai rien fait” – I haven’t done anything.
Sabrina Kouider, 34, became emotional and incoherent when she appeared at the Old Bailey alongside her partner Ouissem Medouni, 40.
The pair, both of Wimbledon Park Road, Wandsworth, south London, are charged with murdering a person unknown on or before September 20.
An unidentified body was discovered in the back garden of a house in Southfields, south-west London, last Wednesday afternoon. Police have been unable to tell the age or gender of the victim because the body was so badly burned.
Court artist sketch of Ouissem Medouni and his partner Sabrina Kouider (Elizabeth Cook/PA)
However, she has been named in reports as French nanny Sophie Lionnet, who is said to have worked for Kouider.
The defendants appeared before Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC via video link from prison for a brief hearing to set a timetable for the case.
Kouider was produced at HPM Bronzefield wearing all black with her dark hair pulled into a high bun.
She wept noisily during the hearing and said: “J’ai rien fait.”
She added: “I can’t hear, I have a headache.”
Balding Medouni appeared from Wandsworth prison in a pale blue sweater and remained impassive throughout.
They were assisted by a French interpreter in court and when asked to confirm their names, replied: “Oui.”
Judge Hilliard set a plea and case management hearing for December 12 with a four-week trial starting on March 19 next year.
In the meantime, the defendants were remanded in custody.