A Dagenham woman has appeared at the Old Bailey charged with murdering her two young sons.

Kara Alexander, 44, is charged over the deaths of Marley Thomas, aged five, and two-year-old Elijah Thomas.

On Thursday (December 22), Alexander appeared at the Old Bailey by video link from Bronzefield prison for a preliminary hearing.

READ MOREDagenham woman charged with murdering boys, 5 and 2

She spoke only to confirm her name and date of birth before a timetable for the case was set.

Judge Mark Lucraft KC said a plea hearing would take place on March 9 next year.

The bodies of the two boys were found by emergency services at an address in Cornwallis Road, Dagenham on Friday (December 16).

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The results of post-mortem examinations have yet to be obtained.

The judge also set a provisional trial from July 10 next year.

Alexander, also of Cornwallis Road, was remanded into custody.

Reporting by PA.