mikaeel kular's mother
Rosdeep Kular is accused of murdering her three-year-old son Mikaeel

The mother of three-year-old Mikaeel Kular has appeared in court charged with his murder.

Rosdeep Kular, 33, appeared at a private hearing at Edinburgh Sherrif Court to face charges of murdering her son and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

Kular, who was charged under her married name of Adekoya, did not enter a plea during the short hearing. She was remanded in custody and is due to appear next in court on 28 January.

She reported Mikaeel missing from his home in the Ferry Gait Crescent area of Edinburgh on the morning of 16 January, prompting a huge search.

Mikaeel's body was found 20 miles away in an area of Woodland near to his aunt's house in Kirkcaldy, Fife late the following day.

It is understood Kular had lived at his aunt's house before moving to Edinburgh 18 months ago.

More than 500 people called a dedicated national phone line set up in the wake of Mikaeel's disappearance.

Elsewhere, two men were arrested in relation to offensive tweets sent regarding Mikaeel's disappearance.

Derbyshire Police arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of committing a racially aggravated public order offence, while Hampshire Police said a 19-year-old man had been bailed on suspicion of posting a racially offensive comment.

Chief Supt Mark Williams, Police Scotland Edinburgh divisional commander, said: "Any reports of racist, offensive or abusive comments made online will be thoroughly investigated."