THE woman accused of murdering a rough sleeper she had only met the two other defendants on the day he was killed.

Heidi Kennedy, 47, revealed to the jury she had only lived in Colchester for a few months and had heard of but never met Mark Hartley or Darren Miller until the day the three were pictured entering St Mary’s Car Park together.

She explained she had been in the borough for two months living in a women’s refuge before being relocated to a property in Monkwick by a housing association.

Kennedy said she had gone into town with her partner and was planning to buy alcohol and enjoy the sunshine in what she described as a “picturesque” location.

Her then boyfriend introduced her to Miller. Hartley then joined them as they were drinking in St Mary’s Church Yard.

She also revealed she had been “drinking more than I know I should have done” in April and admitted she had problems with alcohol in the past which included going on two detox courses before relapsing.

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Kennedy said she had thrown food over Mr Dines during the evening and said she could not explain why she did it except for that she was drunk.

She also admitted giving Miss Peck a “back slap.”