Son accused of murdering father

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of his renowned art historian father.

Professor Lee Johnson, 81, died at his home in Lyndhurst Road, Hampstead, north London, last July.

A post mortem examination found he died from shock due to extensive burns. It is believed he was attacked before the fire was started.

Michael Johnson, 48, who lived in the same road, appeared at the Old Bailey and was remanded into custody.

He is to appear at the same court for a hearing on 21 June. Judge Stephen Kramer set a provisional trial date of 22 October.

Professor Johnson was considered to be the leading authority on French artist Eugene Delacroix, discovering four of his paintings.

In recent years, he had suffered a stroke and was housebound.