Dorothy Woolmer: Man, 22, charged with raping and murdering 89-year-old woman in London home

Reece Dempster appears in court charged with murder, rape and burglary

A man has been charged with raping and murdering an 89-year-old woman in her London home.

Dorothy Woolmer was found dead in Waltheof Gardens, Tottenham, on Sunday morning.

She was described by her family as a "wonderful, beautiful woman who was full of life".

Reece Dempster has been charged with murder, rape, sexual assault by penetration and burglary.

The 22-year-old, who is of no fixed abode but local to the Tottenham area, appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

He was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on Friday.

DCI Garry Moncrieff: “The investigation remains ongoing and I would like to hear from anyone who came into contact with Dempster on the weekend of the 3 and 4 of August until the time of his arrest at 6pm on Monday.”

Relatives of Ms Woolmer said they were “completely shocked”.

“She was a wonderful, beautiful woman, who was full of life,” a statement added.

“She always had something to talk about and was still hands on with everything she did despite her age. 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, aunty and dear friend to many and will be greatly missed.”

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said Ms Wooler had lived at the house with her husband Kenneth, who used to be in the navy, before he died.

“They have lived here for more than 70 years,” he added. “We were just good neighbours. They were pleasant, would give you the time of day. You couldn't wish for a better neighbour.”

Dorothy Woolmer, 89, who was found dead in her north London home on Sunday (PA)

Another neighbour, John Cerisier, described the couple as quiet and devoted.

He said they had lived in the house since the late 1940s and Ms Woolmer had been a housewife and keen gardener

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 020 8358 0300, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

Additional reporting by PA