A JURY has heard how Christine Askey, pregnant with twins, was found murdered in her house with her three-year-old son after being strangled and her body dumped in a bathful of water.

Christine, 20, was allegedly drowned by a secret lover who paid her late night visits.

Security guard Wasseem Mirza, aged 30, of Brockholes View, Preston, denies murdering Christine in November 1999.

Mr Tim Holroyd QC, prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, told the jury: "We suggest that the pregnancy and the identity or possible identity of the father of the twins was what motivated this defendant to kill Christine Askey."

The prosecution allege that Mirza's saliva was found on cigarette stubs at the house and semen stains found on a t-shirt. Mr Holroyd added: "The conclusion to be drawn is that he visited the house and had sex with her. We suggest something happened after the sex which resulted in the defendant strangling her.

"In all probability it was something to do with her pregnancy, perhaps something caused the defendant to fear that she would again be telling others he was the father."

As part of his security training Mirza is said to have been instructed in restraint techniques and had been taught the dangers of strangulation. His case is that he was at his family home that night, apart from an hours spent visiting his girlfriend at Penwortham.

The trial continues.