The Peterhouse student was found by the side of a road in Haverstock Hill, North London, with fatal injuries. It is thought that she was dragged for over a mile by a vehicle on 30 September 2010. An inquest into her death has been opened and adjourned.

Shahriar Firouzian, 52, of Harrow Way, Watford, spoke only to confirm his name through an interpreter in Blackfriars Crown Court, London. Jurors will visit the scene in Pond Street, Hampstead Heath, where Miss Tan is believed to have been struck.

Hamish Reid, prosecuting, said:  "The deceased was a student in this country and her family are from Singapore. They have not come over for the trial and I don’t think they are expected to attend."

At the time of Miss Tan's death, a senior tutor at Peterhouse stated: "The college is greatly saddened by its loss and extends its sympathy to the family."

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