A man accused of murdering Daniel Young in a Morden park after stabbing Kamil Bulat in Mitcham was not in court today for his first appearance at the Old Bailey. 

Mark Loveridge, 37, of Borough Road, Mitcham, was arrested on Tuesday, January 26 on suspicion of murder. 

He was charged on Friday, January 29, with the murder of Mr Young, 30, in Kendor Gardens, and with stabbing Mr Bulat, 23, in the buttocks in Lewis Road, Mitcham.

From Friday: Mitcham man charged with murder of university lecturer Daniel Young

Mr Loveridge was due to appear at his preliminary hearing via video link from Belmarsh Prison this morning. 

The hearing continued without Mr Loveridge, who was represented by Peter Rowlands QC.

Mr Loveridge remains in custody. He will appear again at the Old Bailey on April 14 to enter a plea, and a trial has been scheduled to begin on July 25.

Two other men have been released on bail while the investigation continues.