A JURY has heard police and council workers made the grim discovery of a man’s body a month after he had allegedly been killed.

Daniel Thomas, 59, was found dead in his flat, in Darnley Road, Grays, after a neighbour alerted police because he had not seen Mr Thomas, known as Dave, for some time.

When Mr Thomas was found, his throat had been cut and he had been stabbed up to 20 times, Chelmsford Crown Court heard.

The prosecution claimed Priscilla Scamp, 18, murdered Mr Thomas at the flat in April, with the body being found on May 16.

Council worker William Sheldon was among the first to enter the flat.

He told Chelmsford Crown Court: “Police opened a door and we were all hit by the awful dead body smell, a smell you never forget.

“I could see the body of a man with his arms out and he looked like he had collapsed.

“The body was the worst one I have seen, a complete mess.

“His throat looked like it had been cut. The desceased was in a horrible state.

“Every time I think back, I remember the state of his arm and the terrible state of his face.”

The prosecution claim Scamp, of Centurion Way, Purfleet, was having a sexual relationship with Mr Thomas in return for money.

Scamp, who denies murder, claimed she had acted in self defence and had stabbed Mr Thomas after he tried to rape her.

The trial continues.