Woman 'throttled by ex-colleague'

Catherine Marlow's body was found in an office shower

A 28-year-old finance manager was throttled with her scarf by an ex-colleague when she went into the office at the weekend, a court has been told.

Catherine Marlow's body was dumped in a shower cubicle by Matthew Fagan, 32, who had returned to Research Now to steal computers, the Old Bailey heard.

Miss Marlow, from New Zealand, visited the market research firm in Kennington, south London, after taking a holiday.

Mr Fagan, from Elephant & Castle, south London, denies murder in January 2007.

She suffered injuries to her head, arms and legs, and was throttled with her own scarf Richard Whittam QC

Richard Whittam QC, prosecuting, told the jury: "It was her diligence going to work on that Saturday that cost Cathy Marlow her life."

"The attack she suffered left blood on the walls and floor of the reception area of the ground floor," he said.

"She suffered injuries to her head, arms and legs, and was throttled with her own scarf."

Mr Fagan, an American national, had been sacked from the company nine months before Miss Marlow's death on 13 January.

The court heard how in November 2006, he had approached a friend and asked him to sell some laptops for him at £300 each.

Mr Fagan has admitted going into the office and stealing six Dell laptop computers on the day of the killing but the married 32-year-old denies murder.

Jurors were told that a partial DNA profile of Fagan was found at the offices.

The trial was adjourned until Thursday.