A French nanny was murdered and burned after being accused of stealing a diamond necklace and dabbling in black magic, a court heard.

Sophie Lionnet's charred remains were found in a garden in Southfields, Wimbledon, on September 20 last year after a neighbour reported foul smells coming from a garden fire.

Before her death, the 21-year-old had been starved, mistreated and assaulted after she went to live with Sabrina Kouider, a mother of two, and her partner Ouissem Medouni.

The couple, who are also French, allegedly confronted Miss Lionnet with "outlandish" allegations and kept her prisoner in their home in south-west London.

Richard Horwell QC, prosecuting, told jurors at the Old Bailey: "Sophie was trapped in a domestic nightmare."