Yajaira Castro Mendez Obituary, Death; – A man has refuted the accusation of murdering his colleague and purported lover in central London before disposing of her remains.
Juan Francisco Toledo, aged 51, stands accused of killing fellow cleaner Yajaira Castro Mendez, aged 46, at an office building located on Grays Inn Road on May 29 and subsequently discarding her body in Hampshire.
During proceedings at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, the Venezuelan national, residing in Crystal Palace, south London, entered a plea of not guilty to the charges of murder and perverting the course of justice by hiding and disposing of her body on or before June 7.
Mr. Toledo’s trial is scheduled to commence at the Old Bailey on April 20 of the following year. The court was informed during a previous hearing on June 10 that Ms. Mendez had allegedly been in a relationship with the married Mr. Toledo.
Ms. Mendez’s remains were found in the Bolderwood area of the New Forest on June 7. Mr. Toledo was taken into custody on June 4 and later charged with murder.
On Tuesday, the defendant, who was wearing glasses and a red and grey top, utilized a Spanish translator and spoke solely to confirm his name, date of birth, and to assert his not guilty plea.
