Italian social worker accused of strangling and dismembering a Scots-born police officer he met on gay dating site Grindr.
A jury has been sworn in for the trial of Stefano Brizzi, 50, after he allegedly killed 59-year-old Pc Gordon Semple at his London flat some time between April 1 and April 7.
Inverness-born Mr Semple had been on duty and had attended a meeting at the Shangri-La Hotel in The Shard near London Bridge shortly before he disappeared.
He was last seen on CCTV about half a mile away from the Southwark flats, three hours after leaving The Shard.
His remains were found about 200 yards from where he was last spotted after a neighbour alerted Scotland Yard to a “smell of death” coming from a property in south London.
Earlier this year his brother, Ronnie Semple, said: “On behalf of Gordon’s partner Gary, my wife Maureen, Gordon’s nephew Paul, niece Kerry and I, I would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts during the past dreadful week. It has been a terrible time for us all, especially Gary.”
MPS Commander Alison Newcomb said: “There are many officers who have served with Gordon in London during his 30-year career who will acutely feel his loss.”
The trial is expected to last for around three weeks.
UPDATE: 12/12/16
THE man who strangled a Met Police officer before trying to dissolve his body in an acid-filled bath has been jailed for life.
Stefano Brizzi admitted dismembering PC Gordon Semple, 59, while high on crystal meth.
He was ordered to serve a minimum of 24 years in jail.
