The jury in the trial of a rent boy accused of murdering his lover are continuing deliberations for a third day.

Ricardo Pisano, 36, allegedly killed Michael Polding who he met in 2009 and lived with in Croydon, before following him down to the coast in Brighton.

Mr Polding's body was found by police two months after his death neatly positioned and wrapped up in bedding at his two-bedroom basement flat.

The 62-year-old died from a blunt force trauma to the chest in May, but was not discovered until July 16.

Prosecutor Philip Katz QC told the court that Pisano and other friends had effectively bled Mr Polding dry financially, while the defendant pretended to act as his carer.

Pisano evaded capture for nearly a year until he was arrested at a house in Southampton, Hampshire, on May 7 under a different name, Mr Katz said.

Pisano claims he returned home to find that Mr Polding, who he called St Mikes, had committed suicide by hanging himself from a banister.

He told the court he fled the scene because he feared deportation to South Africa where a "fatwa" had been issued against him by the controversial vigilante group People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (Pagad) who deemed him "troublesome or a threat".

Pisano denies murder and causing grievous bodily harm but has admitted preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body.

 

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