A teenager accused of strangling his student girlfriend Cheryl Tariah has been refused bail at the Old Bailey today.

Ako Amin, 18, allegedly struck Cheryl Tariah over the head with a hammer before throttling her with his hands following an argument at his flat in High Street, Barkingside.

The 17-year-old victim from Tottenham, north London, who was studying art at Chelmsford College, was discovered by police after they were called to a disturbance just before 4pm last Tuesday.

Despite efforts by London Ambulance Service paramedics to save her, she died at the scene.

A post mortem later revealed she had died from compression of the neck.

Mr Amin made no application for bail and was remanded in custody to await a plea and case management hearing on May 21 after being arrested on Friday.

He appeared at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on Monday where the case was refereed to crown court.

Letters and flowers had been left at the scene over the weekend by friends and family.

Chelmsford College principal David Law said: “Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this impossibly difficult time. The college community is coming together, united in grief, to provide mutual support.

“Fellow students have described her as a lovely bubbly girl with a strong and bold personality, well-liked by both her peers and the teaching staff.”