A WAITER accused of hacking Brian Messitt to death with a hatchet made his first court appearance yesterday morning (Wednesday).
Wearing a white and grey tracksuit, cat lover Joseph Sheehan, 37, spoke only to confirm his name and address during a brief hearing at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court.
He is accused of killing Mr Messitt, 67, in Eton Avenue on Monday morning. The case was transferred to the Old Bailey and will resume on Wednesday.
Yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, police were at Mr Sheehan’s home in Belmont Street, Chalk Farm, as animal carers took custody of the suspect’s cat.
The black long-haired cat was affectionately named Fluffy by Mr Sheehan after he was adopted from the Mayhew Animal Home and Humane Education Centre in Kensal Green.
Staff from the centre arrived at the flat late in the afternoon but the cat wriggled free and ran off before he could be put into a van.
One onlooker said: “I fed the cat last night and I’ll look after it if I see it.”
Neighbours confirmed Mr Sheehan lived alone with the cat – receiving few visitors.