AT one point in his evidence. Danilo Restivo explained to his barrister, David Jeremy QC, why he has either changed his story about a green towel found at Heather Barnett’s flat with a DNA match on it, or had declined to comment.

Restivo said he did not trust the police as information he had given in previous interviews had found its way into the Italian media.

“There were two people who were talking with the Italian media,” he said.

“They were Andy Martin of the Daily Echo and Phil James of Dorset police. They are both here in court today.”

• Restivo told the court that he had found the knife that was in his possession when officers had him under surveillance at Throop Mill.

“There were children playing nearby so I picked it up,” he said.

“I tried to show police where I found it but they weren’t interested.”

He said he went to Throop Mill to relax and enjoy wildlife, not to stalk women.

He also claimed he had a balaclava in the car because he used to wear on cold mornings because of a sinus problem.

Of the CCTV footage from the Richmond Arms which had been identified as him by witness Claire George on the morning of Heather’s death, he said; “It was not me.”