Old Bailey: A New Cross man accused of killing a care worker asked her for Bible lessons hours before his flatmate strangled her, the Old Bailey has heard.

The body of Catherine Mukisa, aged 53, who worked at the Pear Tree Care Centre, in Forest Hill, was found washed-up opposite the Tate Gallery.

Kevin Phillipson, aged 23, and Gary Richardson, aged 43, are both accused of murdering Miss Mukisa, who lived with them in Achilles Road, New Cross.

Phillipson told the court he had found God after turning his back on his lifestyle as a rent boy. He said he had been speaking with Miss Mukisa about religion on the day of her death.

Phillipson, who claimed Richardson was a paedophile and had once drugged and raped him, said: "I asked if she could help me read the Bible and go to church more.

"I wanted God in my life."

Later that day, he said he saw Richardson strangling Miss Mukisa and told the Jury: "When Richardson was killing her he said, 'kiss me before she dies so it's the last thing she sees'."

And he agreed to help get rid of the body because he was scared.

Richardson and Phillipson both deny murder on February 28, this year, and perverting the course of justice.

Young, aged 20, of Herbert Road, Plumstead, who told police she was forced to drive them to Lambeth Bridge at knifepoint, denies perverting the course of justice.

The trial continues.

October 23, 2001 11:30