A MAN accused of murdering Swanley woman Natalie Jarvis “cared for her” and “saw her nearly every day”, a court heard this morning.

Jurors at Maidstone Crown Court also heard Miss Jarvis told Adam Whelehan she was pregnant with his child in order to make him “do things for her.”

Miss Jarvis was found dead on the ground in Swanley Village Road after suffering more than 20 stab wounds to her neck on October 3 last year.

Thomas Fuller, of Oakley Drive, Eltham, and Whelehan, of Roseberry Drive, Sidcup, both 23, are on trial accused of her murder.

Part of a police statement from 19-year-old Chelsea Scrace, the best friend of Miss Jarvis, was read out by Whelehan's defending barrister, Sasha Wass QC, in court this morning.

It read: “If Natalie wanted Adam to do something for her like to go out and get food she would get me to text Adam - sometimes to ask him and sometimes to tell him.

“She used her pregnancy a lot.

“She would say 'I'm starving' but he would do the things for her and saw her nearly every day.

“When she worked late he would always pick her up. He cared for her.

“Natalie just wanted her own way, she was always like that. If she didn't she would throw a strop.

“It was easier just to do what she wanted.”

Mrs Wass asked Miss Scrace: “So Natalie was effectively trying to wrap Adam around her little finger using the pregnancy?”

The teenager replied: “Yes.”

Miss Scrace had been living with Miss Jarvis at her parents’ house since July and only recently found out her best friend was not pregnant.

Fuller and Whelehan both deny murder.

The trial continues.