The man accused of killing British backpacker Grace Millane was jeered as he appeared in a packed Auckland court.

Ms Millane (22) died while travelling in New Zealand and her body was found in bushland on Sunday afternoon, about 30 feet from a highway outside the New Zealand city.

The 26-year-old accused, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared in a blue boiler suit as he attended Auckland’s District Court yesterday morning.

Ms Millane, from Essex, was last seen alive entering the CityLife Hotel with the man last Saturday at 9.41pm. The defendant was listed on a charge sheet as residing at the hotel on Queen Street in central Auckland.

Judge Evangelos Thomas addressed members of Millane’s family, some of whom were in attendance. Her father, David Millane, arrived in New Zealand last Friday.

“Your grief must be desperate,” Judge Thomas told the family in court. “All of us hope that justice for Grace is fair and swift and ultimately brings you some peace.”

As the defendant was led out, a man at the back of the court yelled out “scumbag”.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern became visibly upset as she apologised to Ms Millane’s family at a press conference.

“On behalf of New Zealand, I want to apologise to Grace’s family,” Ms Ardern said.

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