A WOMAN who was harassed for months by a murder suspect said he was “acting like he was at a party” on the night he is alleged to have killed a rough sleeper.

Martin Dines, 56, died in St Mary’s car park in Balkerne Hill, Colchester, in April after suffering more than 70 separate injuries.

Heidi Kennedy, 47, Darren Miller, 46, and Mark Hartley, 32, are jointly charged with his murder.

READ MORE: Police piece together finals hours of rough sleeper's life 

Giving evidence at Ipswich Crown Court, Jacqueline McLintock said she was shaking and scared after coincidentally seeing Hartley and two other people in Manor Road, Colchester, close to the car park on the night before Mr Dines was found dead.

The court heard Hartley has admitted to a campaign of harassment against Ms McLintock and her partner after the three met at a support group.

The abuse included threatening messages, vandalism to her house, throwing a wine bottle at her and punching her neighbour in the face.

Recalling the night she saw the group she said she was shaking and crying as she saw Hartley.

She said: “He said to me ‘I am looking at seven or eight years.’

“He asked me what was wrong and I said I was fine because I just wanted to get away because I was so scared.

“He said to me this is Darren Miller and this is Heidi.

“She stood up and went to put her arm around me and said ‘Darling. what’s wrong?’”

Ms McLinktock then ran away after Miller diverted Hartley’s attention.

When asked to described Hartley’s mood, she said: “He was just blasé, happy as if he is was at a party.”

“I suspected he was under the influence of something.

“He had a can in his hand but I don’t know what it was.”

Ms McLintock said Miller was angry and agitated but Kennedy appeared scared and worried.

She also said when she had spent time with Hartley he became aggressive when he was drunk and often talked of violence and what he had done in the Parachute Regiment.

It is alleged Mr Dines was attacked in Head Street, Crouch Street and in the car park by the group.

There is no CCTV covering the stairwell where he was found.

READ MORE: Blood in stairwell indicates Martin Dines was attacked 'multiple times'

Kennedy, of Queen Elizabeth Way, Colchester, Miller, of no fixed address, and Hartley, of New Kiln Road, Colchester, all deny murder.

Miller has admitted Mr Dines’ manslaughter while Kennedy has admitted assaulting a woman on the same night.

n The trial continues.