The trial of a couple accused of murdering a champion Irish dancer by poisoning will not be among the first wave of new cases at the Old Bailey, a senior judge has said.

Joel Osei, 25, of no fixed abode, and 18-year-old Diana Cristea, of Langley Park, Mill Hill, London, are charged with poisoning with intent to endanger life and the murder of Adrian Murphy, 43.

Mr Murphy was found dead on Tuesday June 4 last year at a block of flats in Battersea after allegedly being given Scopolamine, a drug also known as Devil's Breath.

It followed an earlier incident in Walthamstow, east London, on May 30 last year when another man was found unconscious. He was taken to hospital and later discharged.

Cristea faces two additional charges of theft and two of fraud while Osei is accused of two theft charges and six frauds.

The pair, who have denied wrongdoing, were due to face a four-week trial from Monday May 18.

On Monday, the Lord Chief Justice announced that new trials would start at a few courts including the Old Bailey from that date with social-distancing arrangements.

But during a hearing at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb ruled out the case going ahead so soon, saying it was too long and complex.

The senior judge fixed a further review hearing for June 26, when it was hoped a new trial date could be identified.

The defendants, who are both in custody, did not attend the Skype hearing at which they were represented by barristers.