A father has appeared in court accused of murdering his partner by hitting her with a hammer 40 times.

Muhammed Asad Niazi, 29, was silent in the Old Bailey dock as the murder charge was outlined.

Care worker and mother of one Charito Cruz, 37, known as Che, died of head injuries in her rented home in Cambridge Road, Kingston, on Monday night.

His landlady found him with his daughter in his arms, the court heard.

No bail application was made by his defence counsel Andrew McArthur.

Judge Tim Pontius remanded him in custody for a plea and case management hearing on January 4 next year.