Teacher 'died during sex game'

Graham Coutts gave evidence at his Lewes Crown Court trial

The man accused of murdering Jane Longhurst has told a court of the moment she lay dead in his bedroom after an asphyxiation sex game went wrong.

Graham Coutts, who denies killing the 31-year-old at his flat in Hove, was giving evidence at Lewes Crown Court

He said the teacher had been a willing partner in sexual intercourse, but they had never had a physical relationship before.

The 35-year-old part-time musician said he had arranged to go swimming with Miss Longhurst after she had rung to speak to his pregnant girlfriend Lisa Stephens on 14 March 2003.

It was something that was happening and we were going with the flow Graham Coutts

He picked her up from her Shaftsbury Road home but she seemed upset so they went to his flat, he said.

Mr Coutts said she started crying and while comforting her he kissed her.

He said: "We went into the bedroom. I didn't have anything specific in mind. It was something that was happening and we were going with the flow."

The court heard Miss Longhurst was lying on the bed and Mr Coutts said: "My hand was on her neck. She got my hand and squeezed it tighter.

Miss Longhurst's body was found five weeks after she went missing

"It would appear that what had just happened was something she had got something out of."

The court then heard how Mr Coutts got a pair of tights, tied them round her neck and explained three times that she should tell him if it was uncomfortable.

Mr Coutts said he did not know what had happened, when he later found Miss Longhurst lying over him and not moving.

When asked if he knew what had happened he said: "I don't know, my eyes were shut."

Beachy Head

He said after Miss Longhurst's death he was worried his girlfriend would miscarry if she found out.

He said he contemplated going to the police or jumping off Beachy Head.

It is alleged that after Mr Coutts murdered Miss Longhurst, he stored her body for 11 days in an unknown location and then moved it to a unit at the Big Yellow Storage Company in Brighton.

He said the day after Miss Longhurst died he drove to the countryside to dispose of the body, but he could not do it.

The trial continues.