THE woman accused of murdering a Downham pensioner described to a friend how she bludgeoned her with a hammer and vase, a court has heard.

Pat Jobson, aged 86, was found dead at her home in Oakridge Road on February 20 last year.

Karen Williamson, aged 46, of Rangefield Road, Downham, denies murder.

Williamson was first arrested in connection with the killing on February 26.

A couple of days later, she went to visit her friend Donna Coleman.

Giving evidence at the Old Bailey today, Ms Coleman said: "She told me that she had been round to Pat's house and she was trying to tell Pat about the worst few days of her life she had had."

Ms Coleman told the court that Williamson said Mrs Jobson wasn't listening and had asked her to return £20 she had borrowed.

Prosecutor Brian Altman asked: "Did the defendant Karen Williamson tell you what, or complain about what the old lady was doing towards her?"

Ms Coleman replied: "She (Mrs Jobson) was holding her. She wouldn't let go.

"She was quite strong. She was spitting in her face."

When asked by Mr Altman if Williamson had said anything else, Ms Coleman recalled her saying: "She is a strong cow. I couldn't get her off me".

Ms Coleman added: "There was a hammer in her tool bag which she grabbed and then she started hitting the old lady with it because she couldn't get her off her.

"She told me she was hitting her in her head."

Mr Altman asked if Williamson had told her anything else.

Ms Coleman replied: "(Williamson said) Donna, I was hitting her so hard with the hammer that the hammer broke.

"Then she said she picked up a vase or ornament and smashed her over the head with it."

Mr Altman asked: "Did she say whether there was any blood?"

Ms Coleman said: "There was blood coming from her nose and her ears."

She recalled Williamson also told her that she had put a towel or some laundry in front of the fire to set the house alight.

The victim was also making a gurgling sound, Williamson told her friend.

The prosecution alleges that Ms Coleman knew information about the killing that was not in the public domain and which only the killer could have known.

The trial continues.