Screams heard by Dando neighbour

Barry George denies killing Ms Dando

Jill Dando's neighbour heard a scream and saw a man looking like TV comedian Bob Mills walking away on the morning she was shot, a court has heard.

Richard Hughes told an Old Bailey jury he came to his window after he heard what he thought was a woman scream and saw the man walking "briskly" away.

The City trader said he briefly saw him when he turned, and he was white, of "chunky" build, and with dark hair.

Barry George, 48, denies murdering the television presenter on 26 April 1999.

Mr Hughes told the jury that on the day of the murder in Fulham, west London, he heard a car alarm go off at about 1135 BST, followed seconds later by the sound of a gate opening and footsteps.

That was the comedian - or television character - called Bob Mills Richard Hughes

He told the court: "The next thing I heard was a scream. I presumed it was a female.

"Seconds after, I went and had a look out of the window where I saw a gentleman walking away from the scene."

Mr Hughes said he saw the man walking "briskly" away, with what he thought was a mobile phone in his hand.

He said he then saw the man for a few seconds when he turned to look back, before moving out of sight.

Mr Hughes said he had not heard any shots and did not realise what had happened until 10 minutes later when he heard women talking outside.

Jonathan Laidlaw QC, prosecuting, asked Mr Hughes if the man he saw reminded him of anyone.

Not well-known

Mr Hughes said: "That was the comedian - or television character - called Bob Mills."

Mr Laidlaw acknowledged the comedian was not necessarily someone most people would recognise.

Mr Hughes said he knew of him "just from watching a television quiz show I think he presented at the time".

When Mr Justice Griffith Williams, presiding, asked the jurors if they had heard of Mr Mills, two nodded but others shook their heads.

Mr Hughes described the man he saw as white, between 30 and 40, of "average height" and "chunky" build, and with straight, dark-brown or black hair.

The man was clean-shaven and with a full "jowly" face and wearing a dark blue or black Barbour jacket, the court heard.

The jury were shown two photographs of Mr Mills, but were warned by Justice Williams they were being shown the images to help them understand the witness's description, not to "convert a non-identification into an identification".