Three people accused of torturing and killing a vulnerable Ealing resident have appeared in court.

Shakira Spencer, 35, was found dead on the bottom bunk bed in her child's bedroom last week.

Police forced entry into Shakira's Hanwell home after a neighbour noticed a smell coming from the flat in Holbeck Road. She was pronounced dead at the scene

Shaun Pendlebury, 25, Lisa Richardson, 43 and Ashana Studholme, 37, appeared at the Old Bailey on October 4 where the case against them was outlined in a provisional hearing.

Pendlebury and Richardson, both from Ealing, and Studholme, from Harrow, were arrested on September 26 on suspicion of murder and charged three days later.

A trial has been set for September 4 next year, with a plea hearing scheduled on December 20.