Egyptian migrant ‘who snuck into Britain in lorry’ in court over murder of care worker
Hani Khalaf, 21, is accused of leaving Jairo Medina's 'beaten and bloody' body after a robbery in Hyde Park, central London
AN Egyptian migrant who allegedly snuck into Britain in a lorry appeared in court today over the murder of a care worker "with a heart of gold".
Hani Khalaf, 21, is accused of battering Jairo Medina, 62, to death during a robbery in London's Hyde Park on August 12.
Jairo's body was found "beaten and bloody" at 5.50am on the Friday morning he was killed.
A member of staff found the professional carer's body between two trees near Speaker's Corner, a popular tourist hotspot.
Jairo, from Chelsea, had been robbed and his rucksack was found nearby, the Old Bailey heard today.
A post-mortem carried out the day after his death revealed he had been assaulted but could not determine how he died.
Khalaf, also known as Ali N Abu Mahir, is said to have snuck into Britain in the back of a lorry two years ago.
He appeared via video link from Wandsworth Prison today wearing a grey short-sleeved T-shirt.
The alleged killer spoke through an Arabic interpreter only to confirm his name.
Prosecutor Brian O'Neill QC said: "The defendant is charged with the murder of Jairo Medina, a 62-year-old man whose heavily beaten and bloody body was found in Hyde Park by a member of park staff around ten to six on the morning of Friday, the 12th of August."
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Khalaf was arrested a week after the attack and denies murder.
A provisional trial date has been set for February 6 next year.
Judge Timothy Pontius set a plea and trial preparation hearing for November 8.
Khalaf, of no fixed address, was remanded in custody.
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