A "RICHARD Hillman-style" killer with a "calculating and even diabolical mind" murdered a pensioner after he had duped her of £280,000, a court has heard.

Peter John Crittenden, 64, of Beech Drive, Barbourne, was compared to the Coronation Street villain by prosecuting barrister Lord Alex Carlile QC on the opening day of evidence on the murder of pensioner Joan Beddison.

"Those of you who follow the popular soap Coronation Street may call to mind the character of Richard Hillman as a bit of an example," said Lord Carlile.

Financial adviser Crittenden, who denies murder, is accused of smothering the 71-year-old with a pillow at her Cheshire home on November 15, 2002. He also denies three counts of theft of £279,250.

At Chester Crown Court, Lord Carlile said Crittenden travelled to Miss Beddison's home in Rayleigh Close, Macclesfield, Cheshire, and entered through her unlocked patio door before killing her.

"The Crown say Mr Crittenden was rotten to the core," Lord Carlile said.

"Behind the veil of trust, of middle class respectability and apparent affluence lurked a calculating and even diabolical mind, motivated by the prospect of personal financial gain.

"To achieve this he was prepared to groom Miss Beddison so that she became all too easy a victim of abuse of her trust and her character."

Crittenden covered Wales and the North West of England in his job as a self-employed financial adviser,

the court was told on the opening day of the trial, which is expected to last up to two months.

Lord Carlile said Crittenden was in significant debt and became adept at recognising the traits and needs of his potential client to help himself.

"He knows how to appeal to the romantic, sexual or longing side of their nature," he added and said that he took her confidence into his own hands by seducing her and by having her sign it all over to him.

The trial continues.