A STREET prostitute accused of bludgeoning her 71-year-old lover to death told a friend he had gone on a fishing trip, a court heard.

Deanha Neely, 32, admits killing Derek Taylor, from Blackburn but claims she lost control as she was a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her partner.

Following the attack Neely, formerly of Hollingreave Road, Burnley, asked her friend Roxanne Barker if she could stay with her, while her partner was 'away'.

During her stay, Neely, a heavy drug user, told Miss Barker her Santander bank card was not working and asked if she could transfer money to her account, to withdraw.

Miss Barker told the court: “She said Derek didn’t want her going out working so he’d left her with money. I thought nothing of it.

“I did say to Deanha on one occasion, ‘you’re putting too much in, it’s going to mess up my benefits'.”

Giving evidence from behind screens at Preston Crown Court, Ms Barker said Neely was making deposits of £200 and £250 a time.

When Neely arrived at Roxanne’s house on January 2, she had a large tin of drugs, which she also claimed Mr Taylor had left for her.

On January 9, the court heard Neely and her friend went on a shopping trip to Blackburn town centre.

Neely handed Roxanne £150 before the pair headed to Primark and Boots, the jury was told.

Mr Taylor was found bludgeoned to death at the unit in Cross Fold, Blackburn, where the pair lived in Mr Taylor’s coach, on January 18.

An axe and a hammer, stained with Mr Taylor’s blood, were found behind the coach, and there was blood in the sink, as if something had been washed, the court was told.

Police and firefighters forced open the door after receiving a call from Mr Taylor’s son-in-law Peter Townsley, raising concerns he had not heard from his father-in-law since the New Year.

Mr Townsley said Mr Taylor had never told him he was travelling to Liverpool to buy drugs, and claimed he was delivering machine parts for £300 - £400 a trip.

But Mr Townsley said he noticed Mr Taylor’s car was becoming covered in dents, which surprised him, as his father-in-law’s vehicles were usually immaculate.

He told the court: “His car was a mess and Derek was starting to look a mess too.

“There was always a bruise that was just fading.

“To me it looked like he was getting physical abuse somewhere.”

Neely admits manslaughter but denies manslaughter on the grounds she lost control as a victim of domestic violence.

(Proceeding)