BENJAMIN Carr admitted to police that he was a drug dealer but not involved in murder, a court heard this afternoon.

Prosecutors claim Carr conspired with Justin Robertson to murder Pennie Davis, 47, who was stabbed to death in a paddock whilst she tended her horse near Beaulieu last September 2.

The jury at Winchester Crown Court heard transcripts of Carr's interviews with detectives after his arrest three days later.

Carr denied having anything to do with the killing but said he knew Robertson.

He described alleged murderer Robertson as a "dodgy character” who had been very involved with the police as a known drug dealer.

Carr added: “I would not say he was a friend. He was someone for me to go to and get my drugs."

He refused to answer several questions about his relationship with Robertson or why Robertson and he were calling each other on their mobiles after the murder.

On the third day of questioning, Carr produced a written statement in which he explained the calls on September 2 were because he had bought a large quantity of cannabis from Robertson.

Carr claimed he took the cannabis to the home of Charlotte Temperley.

Ms Temperley in a statement denied the claim.

Interrogators told Carr: “It (the killing) is something to do with you. There is no link apart from you between Pennie and Robertson. Something you have done has caused this. Pennie has been a pain in the backside for you,” referring to Pennie's sexual allegations against Carr.

Carr answered: “Not that much of a pain, no way.”

He said he only knew co-accused Samantha Maclean as "she drove Justin (Robertson) around."

The prosecution alleges Carr had agreed to pay Robertson £1,500 for the killing. Police found that sum in counterfeit notes at Carr's then-home in Ridley Close, Holbury.

Carr said he had the money as he intended to use it as part of a fancy dress outfit at the Bestival festival.

Carr, 22, of Edward Road, Shirley, Southampton and Maclean, 28, of Beech Avenue, Hythe, deny conspiracy to kill. Robertson, 36, of no fixed abode, denies murder and conspiracy to kill.

Proceeding