An Iranian immigrant accused of strangling a grandmother with the cord of her own anorak and dumping her body in an allotment shed will stand trial in July.

Rahim Mohammadi, 40, allegedly killed 80 year-old 'pillar of the community' Lea Adri-Soejoko in Colindale, northwest London, last month.

Police were alerted to Ms Adri-Soejoko's disappearance after she failed to turn up to a meeting of the Colindale Allotment Garden Association on February 28.

Her body was found just 25 minutes later in a storage unit on the allotments off Sheaveshill Avenue when police heard the ringing of her mobile phone.

Rahim Mohammadi, 40, right, allegedly killed 80 year-old 'pillar of the community' Lea Adri-Soejoko, left, by 'strangling her with the cord of her own anorak'

Ms Adri-Soejoko, pictured, was found dead by police in a shed after her mobile phone was heard ringing

A post mortem on March 1 found the cause of death was ligature of the neck from her anorak and also from the cable of the lawnmower stored in the shed.

Mohammadi, who moved to the UK around 10 years ago, had his own plot at the allotments, the Old Bailey heard.

Aided in the dock by a Farsi interpreter, he appeared in court today charged with murder.

Judge Philip Katz QC remanded Mohammadi in custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing on May 23.

His trial was fixed for July 10.

Prosecutor Charlotte Newell said: 'Ms Adri-Soejoko was found in a locked shed on an allotment where she spent a good deal of her time.

Mohammadi, pictured, appeared at the Old Bailey today and heard the charge with the help of a Farsi interpreter. He will stand trial in July

She had been reported missing by her daughter, prompting a police search. Pictured are forensic officers inspecting the scene after her death

She continued: 'Ms Adri-Soejoko was 89-years-old, she was reported missing by her daughter but had last been seen by her granddaughter on 26 February at about 6pm.

'But the last proof of life was at 2.34pm on 27 February when Ms Adri-Soejoko's friend had spoken to her on the telephone.

'When he called again at 6pm that evening there was no reply.'

Police had forced their way into the allotment through a gap in the fence in the early hours of the morning on 28 February.

Mohammadi, of Bethnal Green, east London, was remanded in custody.