A TEENAGER has denied assaulting and murdering his older lover's three-year-old son.

Cameron Rose, aged 18, of Court Road, Eltham, is accused of murdering epileptic Rhys Lawrie at the child’s mother's flat in Columbus Square, Erith, on January 21 last year.

He is also accused of assaulting the toddler on two other occasions he was left alone to care for him in December 2010 and on January 17, 2011.

Defending Rose at the Old Bailey today, Rosina Pottage asked: "On January 21, the day Rhys died, did you hurt him in any way?"

Rose replied: "No, I didn't."

The defendant told the jury of seven women and five men he resumed meeting Rhys's mother Sadie Henry, aged 28, in May last year.

Rose claimed he would join her in a park for sex and they would sometimes spend three of four hours together.

He added: "Sometimes she would give me some money: £20 to £30 pounds, up to £300.

"She gave me £300 twice, once on August 31 near my 17th birthday on September 2.

"She said don't worry about it."

Sally Howes QC, prosecuting, accused Rose of lying in his claim that bruising to Rhys's head after he was left alone with him on January 17 was caused accidentally.

Rose had elbowed the toddler in the head while asleep and had seen him fall from a kitchen counter while he tried to get Rhys an ice pack, the court had previously heard.

Miss Howes said: "This is an account that you made up to explain away the fact that Rhys was clearly bruised and had been assaulted."

Rose denies one count of murder and two of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The trial continues.