A 22-year-old man has been charged with the rape and murder of an 89-year-old woman.

Reece Dempster, of no fixed address, appeared at Highbury Corner magistrates court on Wednesday charged with the murder of Dorothy Woolmer at her home in Tottenham, north London on Sunday morning, a Metropolitan police spokesman said.

Dempster is also charged with rape, sexual assault by penetration and burglary as part of the same incident, and was remanded in custody to appear before the Old Bailey on Friday.

The woman, who cannot currently be named for legal reasons, was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident.

Police have asked for anyone with information to contact them.

A statement from the woman’s family said: “She was a wonderful, beautiful woman, who was full of life.

“She was extremely self-sufficient and would still cook all of her meals herself and get herself up and down her stairs.

“She was a sister, wife, aunt and dear friend to many and will be greatly missed. My family ask for privacy whilst we come to terms with what has happened.”