A chef will face trial for the murders of his estranged wife and their two children more than a decade ago.

Mohammed Abdul Shakur, 45, allegedly asphyxiated his wife Juli Begum, 26, strangled five-year-old Anika Khanum with a ligature and stamped on Thanha, aged six, over the 2006/7 new year.

Mrs Begum and her young daughters were found dead at the family home in Nelson Street, Whitechapel, east London, in January 2007 after concerns were raised for their welfare.

Shakur was extradited back to the UK from India on April 6 and appeared at the Old Bailey charged with their murders on Wednesday.

Judge Richard Marks QC set a three-week trial to start on October 2, with a plea hearing on June 26.

The defendant, who appeared via video link from Pentonville prison, was remanded into custody.