Man charged with murder of woman found in her flat

A man who allegedly beat a woman to death with a mallet has appeared in court charged with her murder.

Victoria Adams, 37, was found dead at her flat in Hammersmith, west London, on 9 February.

Prosecutor Peter Ratliff told the Old Bailey Ms Adams had suffered at least 10 separate injuries to the back and side of her head from being struck with a blunt object.

Apapale Adoum, 39, of no fixed address, appeared at the Old Bailey by video link from Wandsworth Prison for the preliminary hearing. Judge Nigel Lickley KC set a plea hearing for 26 August and a provisional three-week trial from 23 March 2026.

Mr Adoum was remanded into custody.