The torture trial of the ex-wife of former Liberian president Charles Taylor has been put off until the new year.

University lecturer Agnes Taylor, 52, who now lives in Dagenham, is due to go on trial at the Old Bailey over her alleged involvement in torture during the country’s civil war.

She faces charges of torture and conspiracy to torture in the west African country between 1989 and 1991.

The defendant, of Kitchener Road, appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from Bronzefield jail before Mr Justice Sweeney.

During the hearing, the senior judge postponed her October trial until January 2019.

A further pre-trial hearing was scheduled for October 3 and will go on for up to eight days.

Taylor, who previously worked as a lecturer and head of department at Coventry University, remains in custody.