Man on trial over murder of gay pensioner
A 20-year old Polish man is on trial for the murder of gay pensioner Edward Highwood last July.
Marcin Orlowski, of no fixed address, is appearing at the Old Bailey.
He was arrested a week after Highwood, 79, was found dead at his home in Greenwich, south-east London by his housemate.
Highwood, known as Teddy, died from head injuries.
Orlowski, 20, denies murdering Highwood and claims he hit the pensioner with a vase when fleeing unwanted sexual advances, the News Shopper reports.
He said he was an alcoholic and that his judgement had been “substantially impaired” by drink at the time of the attack.
The court heard yesterday that the two men had met at the 999 Club in Deptford, which gives food and clothing for vulnerable people.
Two regular visitors to the club, Anthony Fulham and Robert Allen, told the court they had seen Orlowski winking at Highwood.
Fulham said he saw Highwood for the last time speaking to Orlowski outside the venue.
Highwood’s housemate Ronald Bristow told the court on Tuesday that Highwood had a strong sexual appetite but said he would never have forced his sexual attentions on anyone who did not want them.
The trial continues.
