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Laureline Garcia-Bertaux death: Friends were 'alarmed' by texts | Laureline Garcia-Bertaux death: Friends were 'alarmed' by texts |
(10 days later) | |
A friend of a French film producer who was found buried in a shallow grave in her garden became suspicious after she received "strange" messages from her phone, a court has heard. | A friend of a French film producer who was found buried in a shallow grave in her garden became suspicious after she received "strange" messages from her phone, a court has heard. |
Kirill Belorusov, 32, is accused of killing Laureline Garcia-Bertaux at her London home and then sending texts from her mobile to cover his tracks. | Kirill Belorusov, 32, is accused of killing Laureline Garcia-Bertaux at her London home and then sending texts from her mobile to cover his tracks. |
Beth Penman told the Old Bailey she became "confused" by the messages about a shopping spree and a "fit" vet. | Beth Penman told the Old Bailey she became "confused" by the messages about a shopping spree and a "fit" vet. |
Mr Belorusov denies murder. | Mr Belorusov denies murder. |
On 5 March, the 34-year-old was found naked, bound, wrapped in bin bags and buried in a flower bed in the back garden of her flat in Kew. | On 5 March, the 34-year-old was found naked, bound, wrapped in bin bags and buried in a flower bed in the back garden of her flat in Kew. |
The jury was told Ms Penman became concerned after receiving "confusing" messages from her close friend's phone days before she was found. | The jury was told Ms Penman became concerned after receiving "confusing" messages from her close friend's phone days before she was found. |
One described Ms Garcia-Bertaux going on a shopping spree in Oxford Street, which Ms Penman said was "completely" surprising because her friend preferred shopping online. | One described Ms Garcia-Bertaux going on a shopping spree in Oxford Street, which Ms Penman said was "completely" surprising because her friend preferred shopping online. |
Further texts mentioned how she wanted to be "young and hot again", while another on 3 March spoke about meeting a "fit" vet. | Further texts mentioned how she wanted to be "young and hot again", while another on 3 March spoke about meeting a "fit" vet. |
When asked by prosecutor Oliver Glasgow QC whether it was "the kind of thing Laureline might do?", Ms Penman replied: "No. It seemed far-fetched to me." | When asked by prosecutor Oliver Glasgow QC whether it was "the kind of thing Laureline might do?", Ms Penman replied: "No. It seemed far-fetched to me." |
She also told Mr Glasgow that she was alarmed by the messages. | She also told Mr Glasgow that she was alarmed by the messages. |
Prosecutors have told the court Mr Belorusov owed the victim thousands of pounds, and he had tricked his way into her home where he strangled her. | Prosecutors have told the court Mr Belorusov owed the victim thousands of pounds, and he had tricked his way into her home where he strangled her. |
The jury has also heard the 32-year-old was captured on CCTV buying an axe, rubble sacks and plastic clogs in Homebase, which he used to dispose of her body. | The jury has also heard the 32-year-old was captured on CCTV buying an axe, rubble sacks and plastic clogs in Homebase, which he used to dispose of her body. |
Following the murder, Mr Belorusov fled to Estonia but was brought back to Britain to face trial, prosecutors have said. | |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |
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