A BASINGSTOKE man murdered a ‘gentle giant’ and then tried to cover up his crime by burning his body with lighter fluid, a court heard.

Stuart Hodgkin met Adrian Munday by chance and within hours had moved into his home. He allegedly emptied Adrian’s bank account in the space of just two weeks and killed him in a rage when the cash run out, to fuel his need for drink and drugs.

Hodgkin stood at Exeter Crown Court where he is accused of murdering 51-year-old Adrian, charges he denies.

The court heard how the 40-year-old had been living rough in a tent near Newton Abbot racecourse in Devon before meeting Adrian on a train on September 18 last year.

Adrian had suffered a brain injury at birth and had a history of schizophrenia but was able to live independently in his own rented house in Wain Lane, Newton Abbot.

He had some savings, plus an income from £1,000 monthly disability benefits, the court heard.

Hodgkin allegedly moved into his house within hours – forcing him to sleep on the floor while he used the bed.

He took over Adrian’s finances, and took out all the money from his account before killing him when his family refused to give him any more money and started questioning him, jurors were told.

He beat, kicked and stamped Adrian to death and fled the scene on the evening of October 3 after starting a fire he hoped would cover up the evidence, it was heard.

Hodgkin, who is originally from Basingstoke but now lives in Stockbridge Road, Winchester, claims he last saw Adrian alive and well and someone else killed him and started the fire.

Prosecutor Simon Laws, QC, told the court: “He beat a man to death in his own home and set a fire on top of the body. Adrian was a very vulnerable man but he was someone who was polite, mild mannered and kind. His mother and other witnesses describe him as a gentle giant.”

He added: “The defendant saw an opportunity. He took advantage of Adrian, who was meekly willing to hand over money. He moved into his house and on the day the money ran out, he killed him."

Mr Laws said within days of meeting Hodgkin, Adrian withdrew hundreds of pounds from his account in cash and Hodgkin told one friend Adrian was “a bottomless pit”.

Adrian bought Hodgkin a new pair of trainers which were later recovered by police with Adrian’s blood on them, the court was told.

When Adrian’s bank account was empty he asked his mother for two payments of £100 each and he and Hodgkin sold items from his home including a collection of sentimental coins, the trial heard.

Hodgkin used the money to buy heroin and within days Adrian was on the phone asking his mother for more money, said Mr Laws.

He added that she said no and that was the last record of him being alive.

Mr Laws said the fire was not discovered straight away but a neighbour heard a smoke alarm on the morning of October 4, less than three hours after Hodgkin was seen on CCTV fleeing the scene.

He said a property magazine which had been delivered a few days earlier was found with Adrian’s blood and Hodgkin’s fingerprint on it.

The trial continues.