A MAN accused of bludgeoning a grandmother to death repeatedly told police he "couldn't remember" if he had been to the scene of the murder on the day the 77-year-old died.

Matthew Hamlen told detectives during interview to "move on" with their questions when they pushed him to say if he had or hadn't visited Fig Tree Cottage in Kiln Lane, Brambridge, on the day Georgina Edmonds was killed in January 2008.

Jurors at Winchester Crown Court heard how 36-year-old Hamlen was questioned over four days following his first arrest for murder in June 2010 during which he was told he had been "forensically linked" to the murder scene.

Scientists had made the discovery on a rolling pin inside the pensioners kitchen which he said "to the best of my knowledge" he didn't touch.

The interviews were carried out by detective constable Dave Bolton who suggested to Hamlen that he had a "selective memory" in his ability to recall some things but not others.

Jurors heard how he told Hamlen "it's not good enough" to answer important questions concerning his whereabouts and the murder of an old lady with his repeated response of "not to the best of my knowledge".

The court heard how Hamlen told police he was "surprised" to be forensically linked and there must be "an innocent explanation".

Asked if he was in fear of someone else who was with him who did murder Mrs Edmonds, he told detectives "no".

He told police: "I cannot honestly account for my whereabouts on a date three years ago"

"I haven't witnessed anyone else murder anyone, that would ring a bell."

He denied that the murder of Mrs Edmonds had been a burglary that had gone wrong.

The court heard that during early interviews with police, Hamlen disclosed that he used cocaine "recreationally" and had at some time owed drug debts and may have been threatened or put under pressure about repaying them.

Hamlen, from Eastleigh, denies murder.

Proceeding.