Couple accused of beating this man to death were living the woods

A married couple accused of beating a man to death with a baseball bat have appeared in court.

Preda Eugene, 39, was found dead in a wooded area in Chingford, east London, last Wednesday 15 February.

Romanians George-Elvis Tobasaru, 22, and Violeta Ionescu, 21, are accused of murdering Mr Eugene near to the woodland sheds where they all lived.

The victim was known to the couple as ‘Baboi’, the Old Bailey heard.

Judge Rebecca Trowler, KC, said: ‘Mr Eugene’s body was recovered from a wooded area in E4 on 15 February this year.

‘He had been badly beaten and a blood stained piece of wood was discovered nearby.

‘The preliminary post-mortem summary indicates that he had sustained a severe skull fracture and fracture to both cheekbones as a result of at least two impacts.’

Ionescu, in court, sobbed as she saw her partner on a video link from HMP Thameside.

After speaking to confirm his name Tobasaru said: ‘I love you, I will be close to you soon’.

Both spoke through a Romanian interpreter.

Judge Trowler remanded the couple in custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing on 9 May.

Their two week trial was set for 21 August.