Post office worker found man lying dead on his way to work

David Jinks said 21-year-old Adrian Palmer was lying on his back near Teme Street in Tenbury with his arms above his head.

Mr Jinks was told by ambulance control how to give the kiss of life after dialling 999.

But at that moment his killer Ben Murphy arrived and said: "It's Adrian Palmer. I've strangled him," Worcester Crown Court was told yesterday.

Murphy, aged 20, of Kyreside, Tenbury, admits manslaughter but denies murder.

Mr Jinks walked from his home to the town centre post office on May 20 last year, arriving at about 4.15am.

He was opening the yard gates when he noticed the body. He could feel no pulse in the neck and there was blood on Mr Palmer's mouth.

Mr Jinks said Murphy appeared calm. He said the defendant stood by his side and added: "He's been following me about all night."

Rex Tedd, defending, said Murphy was heard on the 999 call from Mr Jinks' mobile saying: "I just lashed out. We were in the Vaults pub and I told him to come outside. I did mean to hurt him - but not to kill him."

Mr Jinks said he did not recall those words because he was too busy dealing with the tragedy.

The prosecution allege that Mr Palmer, who suffered from a form of autism, angered Murphy, a former schoolmate, by making a rape complaint to police.

He left his home in Bromyard Road, Tenbury, for a time but received death threats and was killed when he returned to the town.

It is claimed he was strangled at a flat and his body dragged into the street.

Murphy called round to Claire Philips' home in Kyreside in the early hours.

Miss Philips, the partner of the defendant's father Malcolm, said Murphy told her: "I've got some bad news. I think I've killed Adrian."

She woke Malcolm Murphy and his son then repeated the shocking statement to him.

Miss Philips recalled seeing the victim repeatedly going to the defendant's home in the past and knocking on the door. He was always being asked to leave.

The trial continues.