A man accused of bashing his Australian fiancee to death has appeared at the Old Bailey court in London.

Roderick Deakin-White, 37, allegedly killed his girlfriend Amy Parsons, 35, at their home in Whitechapel, east London on 25 April.

Parsons was discovered by police, who had been called to the scene over concerns for her welfare, at the fifth-floor flat she shared with her fiance and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Deakin-White, a graphic designer, struck her several times with “severe” force and later admitted to police what he had done, the court heard.

There is no is dispute he killed the victim and the trial will centre on why he acted in the way he did.

The couple are thought to have been together for at least six years.

Deakin-White appeared on a video link from Thameside prison and spoke only to confirm his identity.

Judge Anthony Leonard QC set a plea hearing for 23 July and a trial from 28 October, due to last up to two weeks.

The family of Parsons in Melbourne launched a crowdfunding campaign so they can travel to England and bring her body home. It has reached its goal of $20,000 to fly Parsons’ parents Leonie and Michael and sister Eve to London, and to fund the return of her body to Australia.

“Amy had been living in the UK for several years and at present time there is no family with her,” the fundraising page said. “Amy had so many friends all over the world, and she was the kindest soul. She was the most beautiful person. Amy was adventurous, intelligent, kind hearted, down-to-earth and loved by all who knew her.”

The page also mentioned the prevalence of domestic violence and said any leftover funds would “go to prevention work to create a future free from violence”.