A COIN enthusiast accused of murdering another collector often asked people to swap limited edition 50ps, a court heard.

Danny Bostock, 33, denies murdering Gordon McGhee in August last year and trying to cause an explosion in his flat.

Mr McGhee’s neighbour Leanne Read said she was aware both Bostock and her friend were keen on collecting.

Giving evidence at Ipswich Crown Court about Bostock, she said: “He said he was collecting Beatrix Potter 50ps but I had never seen them.

“He had sat in the courtyard and asked if anybody wanted to swap any.

“He said that a few times on a couple of occasions.

“Gordon had said a few times that Danny Bostock had asked if he could have looked at his coin collection.”

Miss Read said Mr McGhee also had the coveted coins bearing characters from the beloved children’s books, as well as other special pieces he had ordered but she had never seen them.

She said: “He told me he had Beatrix Potter coins and he told me he had a £50 coin and was getting a £100 coin in the post.

“He was hoping he would have a grandchild and that he would be able to pass them on.”

Asked to describe the type of man Mr McGhee was, having known him for just over a year, she said: “He was kind, friendly and he would help anybody.

“If you asked for help he would help you.”

Miss Read helped Mr McGhee to bed the night before he died because he struggled with his mobility.

She locked his door from the outside before posting the key through the letter box and called through to him to say goodnight, before he responded by saying “Goodnight, darling” to her.

Bostock, of Berberis Walk, Colchester, is due to give evidence next week.

The trial continues.