A FITNESS instructor accused of strangling a customer is on trial for murder.

Khorram Azim, of Chislehurst Road, Sidcup, denies throttling Kevin Beckingham on February 12 last year.

Jurors at the Old Bailey today were told the father-of-one killed Mr Beckingham with his bare hands while giving him a one-on-one fitness lesson at his alleged victim's home in Nithdale Road, Plumstead.

The wrestling expert then allegedly stabbed Mr Beckingham in the neck to make it look like an intruder had carried out the murder.

Azim, a personal trainer at gyms including Fitness First in Soho, allegedly tried to frame his friend, student Mukarram Baig.

Jurors heard Mr Beckingham was found by a carer at a sheltered accommodation unit on March 7 last year.

An empty syringe was found next to his body but no trace of any unusual drug was found in his system.

Mr Beckingham suffered epilepsy, arthritis, poor eyesight and learning difficulties, but had been training with Azim since 1999.

It is claimed Azim used a deadly choke hold copied from an instruction video by an American wrestler.

The trial continues.