The murdered autistic son of a celebrity photographer died after being suffocated with a sponge, the court appearance of his accused killer mother heard this morning.

Olga Freeman, 40, was brought before the Old Bailey today after being charged with the murder of Dylan Freeman, ten, at the weekend at their home in Acton, west London. 

The court heard the mother is accused of killing him putting a sponge in Dylan's mouth and laying him down next to his favourite toys in the master bedroom. 

oel Smith, prosecuting, said: 'The cause of death was found to be restriction of the airways.

'Parts of sponge were found within the throat of the deceased.'

Mrs Freeman's appearance came two days after her photographer ex told how he had been a 'beautiful, bright, inquisitive and artistic child' whose loss he could not begin to comprehend.

Mr Freeman is currently in Spain and his representative said when he heard the shocking and heart-breaking news he was 'beyond devastated'.