A MURDER suspect accused of killing a father-of-three in Thamesmead pressured his own mother into helping “get his story straight”, a court has heard.

Prabjot Rayat, 54, was found with his throat cut in the office of his car repair service, Rayat Autos, at the Crown Industrial Estate on June 8 last year.

Robert Burrows, 33, and Surinda Chana, 44, both of Lower Park Road, and Clifford Collins, 40, of Mounts Road, Greenhithe, are accused of his murder.

Mr Brendan Finucane, prosecuting, today told Wood Green Crown Court: "Mr Burrows and Mr Collins used Surinda Chana - who knew Mr Rayat better than them - to get into his office, attack him and rob him."

Speaking to Burrows, he added: "You and Mr Collins had planned to rob Mr Rayat.

“The plan was for you to wait outside and if there was any trouble go in and help him."

The victim was found in a pool of blood by a close friend and employee.

He had bruising on his arms and legs while a gold watch was missing along with money from his office safe.

Burrows, who admits taking a screwdriver with him to the scene but denies he played any part in Mr Rayat's death, told the court: "I realised he had a deep, bad cut in his neck but I didn't realise how bad it was.

"Everything had happened very quickly.

"I just got Clifford to pass him a towel.

"I think I remember him saying he would be OK."

The defendants visited the victim twice during the night.

The second time, at 3.30am, a woman is seen rushing away from the scene on CCTV, followed a few minutes later by two men.

The jury was read transcripts of conversations between Mr Burrows and his mother when she visited him in Belmarsh Prison in the weeks following Mr Rayat's death.

In these conversations he appeared to coerce her into speaking to co-defendant Surinda Chana to "get mine and her stories straight".

He said: "Clifford is number one hated as far as I am concerned.

“He has caused all this for me and Surinda.

“If he wasn't such a lying c**t we wouldn't be in this f***ing position.

"I need to somehow try to get mine and her stories straight.

"Make sure you tell Surinda this - if Clifford wants to blame me and go down that road he can stick it - I didn't do nothing.

"I need to work something out with Surinda so that we don't make mistakes in our speech."

All three defendants deny murder as well as a separate charge of conspiracy to rob.

The trial continues.