Trainee lawyer charged with murder of Homerton schoolteacher

Katie Locke’s body was discovered on Christmas Eve

A trainee lawyer has been charged with the murder of a 23 year-old Homerton schoolteacher, who was found dead on Christmas Eve at a Georgian mansion house hotel.

The body of Katie Locke was discovered last week at the four-star Theobalds Park Hotel in Hertfordshire.

She had recently joined Cardinal Pole, a Roman Catholic secondary school, as a history and politics teacher.

Carl Langdell, 26, of Waltham Cross, was charged on Christmas Day with her murder and has been remanded in custody.

The suspect is a BPP Law School student and in August founded Langdell Legal Associates, according to his CV.

A spokesperson for Cardinal Pole Catholic School expressed “deep regret” over the “sad loss” of Katie Locke.

‘Outstanding practitioner’

“Katie was an outstanding practitioner, a wonderful form tutor and a much loved and respected member of the school community,” the spokesperson said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. May she rest in peace.”

Police have released a statement from the victim’s parents, John and Jennifer Locke. It reads: “As a family we are distraught, in shock and totally devastated. There was not a bad bone in Katie’s body.

“Katie worked hard and loved her job as a teacher. In what little spare time she had she enjoyed sports. We now feel like our future has been stolen from us.”

Officers from the joint major crime unit have been investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.

Mr Langdell is due to appear at St Albans Crown Court on 8 January.

This post was updated at 14:41 on 4 January with a comment from Cardinal Pole School