A man accused of murdering a woman and hiding her body in a freezer for three years told people she had an accident and fell into a coma, a court heard.

George Gordon is accused of murdering his friend Delia McInerney, 62, in April 2023, days before she was due to move to Portugal for a "new life".

Her dismembered body was found in Gordon's flat in Gerards Court, St Helens, Merseyside, along with her five dead guinea pigs, in January this year, Liverpool Crown Court heard at his ongoing trial.

The 65-year-old has admitted killing Delia but claims it was self defence. He has denied her murder.

Delia's friend Suzanne Autunes told the court her friends of six years had a house in Portugal and wanted to move to the country permanently.

Autunes said towards the end of April 2023, she got a text from Delia's phone which read: "This is Chris ....Delia's friend. Call urgently."

Gordon then told her that McInerney was in a coma, the court heard.

A few days later, Gordon went to Portugal and met Autunes, claiming he wanted to check if everything was OK at his friend's house.

Later, Gordon told her that McInerney was getting better but Autunes was told by police in January this year that their friend was dead, the jury was told.

Gordon has admitted offences relating to the concealment of a body and fraudulent financial activity after her death.

He has also pleaded not guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to animals.

The trial continues.