A MAN accused of murdering a former Bradford woman who he lived with in Derby made his first appearance at Crown Court today.

Sobhia Tabasim Khan, 37, was found dead at an address in Pear Tree Crescent, Normanton, last Saturday.

Atual Mustafa, of the same address, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court today charged with murder.

He spoke only to confirm his name during the brief hearing in front of Judge Gregory Dickinson QC, the Honorary Recorder of Nottingham.

A trial, provisionally scheduled to last for two weeks, was set for December 4.

Mustafa, 35, was remanded in custody ahead of his next appearance at the same court on Friday, September 8.

The family of Miss Khan, who is understood to have recently moved to Derby from the Manningham area of Bradford, released a photograph of her earlier this week.

After today’s hearing, her elder brother Javed Khan said the family were “devastated” and “still in shock” at what had happened.

He said: “We would like to thank everyone for their kind tributes and messages, we’ve been really touched by them all. At this moment, we don’t wish to make any further statement.”

Tributes to Miss Khan continue to be paid on social media, including from parents of children who attended the Raising Explorers after-school club where she used to work.

Najma Asghar said: “She was such an amazing teacher, all the children were very fond of her. She nurtured them like a mother does, so gentle and sweet. She was a truly inspirational person who influenced and taught the children really well.”

Residents in Pear Tree Crescent described Miss Khan as “beautiful” and the “perfect neighbour”.

Anybody with information about the case is asked to contact Derbyshire Police on 101, quoting reference number 17000222492.

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