Stephen Fleming fronts court after teacher Annette Brennan’s body found stuffed in wheelie bin

A man accused of murdering a Melbourne teacher and dumping her body in a bin, which was discovered at an Epping tip, has faced court.

A man accused of murdering a Melbourne teacher and dumping her body in a bin has faced court.

Stephen Fleming, 45, was flanked by custody officers as he appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday just hours after homicide squad detectives charged him with the murder of Annette Brennan.

He sat quietly in the dock looking down at his hands, which appeared to be covered in evidence bags – a move usually made by police to preserve forensic evidence.

A charge sheet filed with the court alleges the murder happened “on or around” July 1.

Prosecutor Connor Rattray told the court police needed 20 weeks – more than three times the usual six weeks provided – to prepare the brief of evidence in the case.

Stephen Fleming has fronted court. Picture: 9 News

Annette Brennan’s body was found at Epping waste management facility in a bin.

“The additional time is sought for multiple crime scenes to be recreated and analysed,” Mr Rattray said, adding that forensic and e-crime evidence needed to be examined.

He said it would also take three months for the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine to provide an autopsy report.

No further details about the circumstances of the alleged murder were aired in court.

It is understood police are still working to determine how the “lovely and kind” English teacher died after the 67-year-old’s body was stuffed in a wheelie bin and taken to the tip.

Magistrate Louise Wildberger told Mr Fleming that his lawyer would not receive the police evidence against him until November 27.

He will remain in custody until his case returns to court in January next year.