Rachel murder accused in court

Robert Napper, who was charged last week with killing the former model in 1992, appeared via videolink before a packed courtroom at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court in London.

Wearing a black button-down shirt and black and white tie, he spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth before listening quietly to the rest of the proceedings.

At the end of the 20-minute hearing, Senior Metropolitan District Judge Timothy Workman granted the balding 41-year-old technical bail but on the condition that he remains detained in Broadmoor Psychiatric Hospital.

Napper could only be removed in the case of a medical emergency and under the supervision of police and the health authorities, the judge ordered.

Another condition of bail was that he must submit to medical examinations so that psychiatric reports can be prepared.

The case was committed to the Old Bailey for trial and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for just before Christmas, on December 20.

After the judge told Napper of the hearing and made sure he had understood, he thanked him for attending court, to which Napper nodded and replied: "Thank you."

Napper was charged after a review of the case of Miss Nickell, who was killed as she walked with her young son on July 15, 1992.

The 23-year-old was stabbed 49 times and sexually assaulted in a frenzied attack that led to one of the largest murder hunts ever seen in the UK.