AN "infirm, vulnerable and elderly" pensioner was stabbed to death at his home over an unpaid debt, a court has heard.

Andrew Monk, aged 28, of Abergeldie Road, Eltham, is charged with the murder of Downham pensioner James Land.

The 79-year-old was found by police at his home in Whitefoot Terrace on May 10 last year suffering from 11 stab wounds.

On Monday (July 9) jurors heard the defendant's former partner Sadie Newark, who lived on the same road as Mr Land, was in serious financial trouble.

Around a week before the murder the relationship between Ms Newark and Monk broke down when she began to notice changes in him and he started drinking heavily, the court heard.

However, Ms Newark permitted Monk to continue visiting her house while she was away in Cambridge visiting her mum.

As a result of her financial difficulties Ms Newark would borrow money from a number of people including Mr Land.

Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson said: "Ms Newark reached an agreement with the deceased whereby he loaned her money in return for being allowed to kiss her and see her breasts.

"Initially Ms Newark agreed to this and on one occasion she provided a topless photograph of herself in return for a loan."

Jurors heard that over time Ms Newark became uncomfortable with the arrangement and decided to bring it to an end.

The Crown's case is that Monk was fully aware of this arrangement.

The jury was told that on May 7 while the defendant was staying at his former partner's house, a note from Mr Land was hand delivered to the address asking that his money be paid back.

Monk called Ms Newark within the next few days and told her about the note, at which point she said she would deal with it when she got back.

However, the prosecution says Monk took the matter into his own hands and went to Mr Land's house on May 10 - stabbing the widower who sat defenceless in his armchair, having suffered from two strokes.

Jurors heard Monk then went to Beckenham Place Park to dispose of blood-stained clothing and the knife.

The court was told, after the murder, Monk confessed to a number of people what he had done.

Just after midnight, he was arrested at the junction of Pickhurst Lane and The Avenue. He was carrying a bottle of whiskey with a spot of blood on it which, when tested, matched the DNA of the deceased.

He was asked to get on his knees and hold out his hands. He followed both requests and called out it "It's me. I'm the one you're looking for".

Monk was cautioned at the scene to which he replied: "I did it. I'm not going to give you any trouble. I killed him. I did wrong."

Jurors heard that while waiting for the police van, the defendant said: "He took a liberty with my missus. I'm the geezer who lost my girlfriend and everything."

He continued: "He's dead I've stabbed him up big time. I've stabbed him at least five times. I dumped the knife. It made me feel sick stabbing someone. It's from my kitchen."

He told officers that he had tried to burn his clothing by dousing it in whiskey, but it would not light.

He added: "I feel no remorse. He deserved it. "

Officers also noted Monk saying: "Come on, take me to gaol. I will do 20 years. He deserved it, he was a rapist ****.

"He's a sex offender, I bet you would do the same if it was your kids. The knife comes from my girlfriend's kitchen."

The trial continues.