A homeless man accused of murdering a betting shop manager has appeared in court.
Shafique Ahmad Aarij, 21, appeared at the Old Bailey in London this morning, charged with the murder of Sutton father-of-three Andrew Iacovou in Ladbrokes, in Aberconway Road, Morden, on Saturday, May 25.
He was remanded to appear at the same court on Tuesday, August 20.
Mr Iacovou, who lived in Church Hill Road, North Cheam, with his disabled wife Anita and two of his sons, was at work when he was attacked. A post mortem concluded he died from blunt trauma to the head.
Floral tributes were left outside Ladbrokes in Aberconway Road, Morden
Ladbrokes set up a charity fund for Mr Iacovou family through the website JustGiving.com and donated £10,000 to start it off. The fund has now raised in excess of £17,000.
But the firm has been criticised by former and current employees as well as punters for its practice of allowing staff to work alone.
One reader, claiming to be a manager for Ladbrokes, wrote to the Sutton Guardian to say: "I find this story awful but not surprising.
"I work for a company that has slowly over the years have became disconnected to the needs of a betting shop for its employees and customers. I often work on my own for 90 per cent of the time. Breaks are non existent I cant even use the loo as you cant leave the front unmanned."
To donate to the fund for Mr Iacovou's family, visit JustGiving.com.
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