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A teenager accused of murdering a young mother near a Colchester pub has begun giving evidence in his trial.

The youth, now 17, told a Chelmsford Crown Court jury he had been drinking for most of the day before he and his younger friend met Helen Maughan near Quilters pub at Middleborough.

The prosecution has alleged the two teenagers killed the mother of two before she ended up half-naked in the River Colne, near the pub, in May last year.

The youths, aged 13 and 16 at the time, deny a murder charge and have blamed each other for the death of Miss Maughan.

The teenager told the jury he had been expelled from school and would spend most of his days drinking beer or cider.

He added: "I would drink anything and everything."

He said there were times when he would drink until he could not stand up and had once been taken to hospital because he was so incapable.

On the night before the alleged murder, the teenager said they got a case of Stella Artois lager from a shop after asking a tramp to buy it for them.

A short while later, the teenager said, they met Miss Maughan near the pub and got talking to her.

By this time, the teenager said he was "extremely drunk," the court was told.

The jury has heard how the teenager told police after he was arrested he had fallen asleep and awoke to see the younger teenager dragging Miss Maughan towards the river.

The youth was due to continue with his evidence today.

The trial continues

10:44am Friday 9th May 2008

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