A 23-YEAR-OLD man laughed “hysterically” and threatened to bite a policeman's face off after he was arrested on suspicion of murder, the Old Bailey heard today (May 8).

Dano Sonnex was discovered by police hiding in his grandparents' loft in Peckham on July 10, and arrested on suspicion of murdering French students Laurent Bonomo and Gabriel Ferez.

The 23-year-old students had been stabbed 244 times at Mr Bonomo's flat in Sterling Gardens, New Cross, on June 29, and the property was later set alight.

After being told what he was being arrested for, Sonnex replied "what murders?" and asked for his trainers, the court heard.

Sonnex was led out in his socks by Detective Constable Jason Foy, who told the court the man quickly became verbally abusive.

Det Con Foy told the court Sonnex warned him: "I'm going to bite your face off."

And Det Con Foy said Sonnex was put into a van rather than a police car because of safety concerns.

Det Con Foy said Sonnex's behaviour in the van was “very odd” for someone accused of murder, "laughing hysterically" for several minutes and "staring intently" at the policeman.

The court also heard today how Nigel Farmer, also accused of the murders, turned himself into Lewisham police station at around 1.56am on July 7.

Station officer Stephen Keen said Farmer appeared to be drunk when he came in and asked to speak to someone in CID, saying he was one of the main suspects in the students' murders.

While Farmer waited for someone from the murder squad he allegedly admitted the two murders to two women in the waiting area.

Once in custody, Farmer told Detective Constable Matthew Weller: "You can't tell the media.

“My eight-year-old son will be dead otherwise. No one can know I'm here."

Earlier, a statement was read out from Farmer's ex-partner's sister who he had visited on July 5.

The sister said Farmer, who admits setting fire to the flat in Sterling Gardens under duress, was badly burnt and kept saying: “You don't want to know.”

She said: “After I'd given him money he told me not to tell anyone I'd seen him like this.”

Farmer, aged 34, of no fixed address, and Sonnex, of Etta Street, Deptford, deny murder, arson and false imprisonment.

Sonnex admits burglary but Farmer denies the charge.

The trial continues.