CHARLTON & ABBEY WOOD: Man on trial for killing great-grandmother Irene Barrett (From News Shopper)

Abbey Wood man Daniel Franklin on trial for murdering Irene Barrett in Charlton

10:08am Friday 18th February 2011 in News By Court reporter

AN ODD-JOB man stabbed and battered an 88-year-old great-grandmother to death and stripped the jewellery from her fingers, a court has heard.

Daniel Franklin, of Felixstowe Road, Abbey Wood, is said to have murdered Irene Barrett - who he had known since childhood - in a “vicious and prolonged” attack at her home.

It is thought she either caught him stealing her money or refused to give him any when he visited her 15th floor flat, in Valiant House, Charlton, at around 7am on May 15 last year.

Mrs Barrett, a retired secretary who had recently become housebound, was found hidden under bedclothes when a carer arrived two hours later.

She had suffered 21 knife wounds and 32 blunt injuries including a cut to the hand as she tried to fend off her attacker.

Her flat had been ransacked and her wedding band and engagement ring, which she never took off, were missing.

The Old Bailey heard there was no sign of forced entry and Mrs Barrett had not managed to activate the emergency cord around her neck.

Victor Temple prosecuting said: “She let him into her flat and for obvious reasons only this defendant knows the full details as to what transpired between them.”

He added: “Either he requested money and she refused or alternatively she caught him trying to steal.

“He proceeded to stab her repeatedly in the chest, neck and groin area and further to strike her in the mouth, the force of the blow dislodging and fracturing her dentures.”

Franklin, aged 34, was arrested two days later but told officers he had been watching Avatar with his girlfriend.

The trial continues.