Plea deferred on Sofia case

A MAN accused of the murder and sexual assault of a schoolgirl in a shopping centre toilet has deferred his plea so that his lawyers can explore psychiatric issues.

The naked body of eight-year-old Sofia Rodriguez Urrutia-Shu was found on the floor of a toilet cubicle at Livingston Market Shopping Centre in the Perth suburb of Canning Vale on June 26, 2006.

Dante Wyndham Arthurs, 21, of Canning Vale was later charged with her wilful murder, sexual penetration of a child, and deprivation on liberty.

He made a brief appearance via video link in the West Australian Supreme Court today where the court was told more time was needed for his defence lawyer to explore "psychiatric issues''.

Arthurs, who remains in custody, was remanded to a pleas date on March 7.