Man in court charged with murder of PC Keith Blakelock

Keith Blakelock was murdered 23 years ago (Getty Images)

A 44-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of PC Keith Blakelock, the officer who was stabbed to death during the Broadwater Farm riots in 1985.

Nicholas Jacobs is accused of killing the 40-year-old officer, who was stabbed as he tried to protect firefighters as they tackled a blaze at a supermarket during the height of the unrest in Tottenham, north London.

Prosecutors announced on Tuesday that Jacobs had been charged over PC Blakelock's death.

Wearing a grey tracksuit, Jacobs spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth during a short hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

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

PC Blakelock died on 6 October 1985 during the disorder in north London, which was sparked by the death of Cynthia Jarrett who collapsed and died during a police raid on her home.

PC Blakelock, a father-of-three, had been assigned to protect firefighters on the Broadwater Housing Estate in London with the police serial 502. Officers were forced back by rioters and Blakelock received up to 40 stabbing injuries after he slipped on a grass verge, fell and was mobbed by approximately 50 people.