THE ex-girlfriend of a man accused of murdering a pensioner would "flash" for the victim in return for cash, the Old Bailey has heard.

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

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

The defendant's former partner, Sadie Newark, who lived in the same road as Mr Land, was in serious financial difficulties, the court heard.

Ms Newark today told jurors that she would ask to borrow money from her neighbours, including Mr Land.

Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson asked her: "Did there come a time when, either because he asked, or because you offered, there was more to the relationship between you and Mr Land than just borrowing the money?"

Ms Newark replied: "Yes that is correct."

Mr Atkinson asked how things developed.

Ms Newark said: "Obviously I owed him money. He would say 'maybe can I have a kiss on the cheek', like a little cuddle.

"Then it was, 'can I have a flash' - of my breast.

"I wasn't totally exposed, my bra was on and stuff so I wasn't showing everything."

Jurors were told that Ms Newark thought she was doing these "favours" for Mr Land in return for the money she was borrowing from him.

Ms Newark also gave Mr Land a topless photograph of herself sitting on a motorbike, the court heard.

She said: "I didn't feel uncomfortable, I didn't think it was anything more than a bit if harmless fun really.

"But towards the end I did feel ashamed of what I was doing."

Once she began to feel ashamed, Ms Newark put an end to the favours.

It is alleged that Monk was fully aware of the arrangement and would even encourage his girlfriend to go and visit Mr Land.

Yesterday the court heard that when Monk started to drink heavily, Ms Newark ended their relationship.

However while Ms Newark was away visiting her parents, she allowed Monk to stay in her home and check on her post.

She told the court that she and the defendant had been together for about 18 months before Ms Newark ended the relationship.

Jurors heard that around a week before the murder, Ms Newark went to stay with her mum in Cambridge.

It was during this period, on May 7, that Mr Land hand-delivered a note to Ms Newark's address, asking for the outstanding money to 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 alleges that Monk didn't wait for Ms Newark to return, but instead took a knife from her kitchen and attacked Mr Land as he sat helpless in his armchair.

It is claimed Monk then went to Beckenham Place Park where he disposed of his blood-stained clothing along with the knife.

The trial continues.