A TEENAGER accused of murder told police the death was nothing to do with her.

Priscilla Scamp was arrested soon after the body of Daniel Thomas was discovered at his Grays flat last May.

His throat had been cut and he had been stabbed more than 30 times.

Scamp told police she knew nothing about the death of the 58-year-old but a jury was told how she changed her story later.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard the 18-year-old had been staying at the home of Mr Thomas in Darnley Road but had left before he was allegedly murdered in April last year.

In a statement to the police, Scamp said she had discovered the badly decomposed body of Mr Thomas - known as Dave - after she went back to the flat after a weekend away.

She told police she let myself in and noticed a bad smell and Dave lying in the hallway.

She checked for a pulse in his neck and got blood on her hand, Scamp said.

She added: "I was in shock and panic and put my hand out to steady myself."

Scamp said drugs and money belonging to Mr Thomas were gone and she decided to leave the flat.

She told police: "As I left, I heard something to my left. I was scared and thought it may be the man that killed Dave."

Scamp then left the scene and went to stay with friends in Kent.

She said she did not tell police because she thought she would be blamed for the killing. Scamp also said she had burned some of her clothing later as it had blood on it.

She added: "I did not kill Dave, I did not stab him, I did not cut his throat.

Scamp, from Centurion Way, Purfleet, denies murdering Mr Thomas on April 13 last year.

He was last seen alive on April 12 last year. His badly decomposed body was discovered after police and council workers broke into his flat on May 16.

The prosecution has alleged Scamp told a series of lies and blamed a perfectly innocent man for the murder after she was arrested.

She also claimed she acted in self defence after Mr Thomas tried to rape her.

The trial continues.