Man accused of kidnapping and raping teenager before slitting her throat and stuffing body in freezer denies murder

Mujahid Arshid, 33, pleads not guilty at Old Bailey via videolink after Celine Dookhran, 19, found dead in Kingston, south London, as part of gruesome 'honour killing'

Celine Dookhran (Twitter)

A man accused of kidnapping and raping a teenager before cutting her throat and stuffing her body in a freezer has denied murder.

Celine Dookhran, 19, was found dead at an address in Kingston, southwest London, on 19 July.

Mujahid Arshid, 33, of no fixed address, appeared at the Old Bailey charged with her murder, rape and kidnap.

He is also charged with the sexual assault, rape, kidnap and attempted murder of a second woman, who cannot be identified.

Vincent Tappu, 28, of Spencer Road, Ealing, is charged with the kidnap of Miss Dookhran and the second victim.

Both men also face charges of conspiracy to falsely imprison both women and unlawful possession of a Taser.

The pair, who appeared via videolink, pleaded not guilty to all the charges against them.

They are due to stand trial on 17 January next year, which is due to last up to four weeks.

Miss Dookhran's family have described her as “amazingly talented” and said she “brought happiness, joy and laughter to her family and friends”.

They also said that they are proud of her achievements in life, in a statement released in July.

PA