THE man accused of killing Bournemouth mum Heather Barnett in 2002 has told a jury he did not commit a murder in Italy.

Danilo Restivo, 39, of Chatsworth Road, Charminster, denies killing mum-of-two Ms Barnett.

This morning he told the jury at Winchester Crown Court that he saw 16-year-old schoolgirl Elisa Claps leave a church where they met in Potenza in 1993 alive.

The prosecution has claimed that the death of Elisa in September 1993 and that of Ms Barnett were so “strikingly similar” that the same man had to be responsible.

Earlier in the trial Winchester Crown Court was told that Elisa Claps’ remains were found in the loft of the Church of the Most Holy Trinity last year.

Today, under cross examination from prosecutor Michael Bowes QC, Restivo repeatedly said he saw Elisa leave the church after they had talked for 10 minutes.

Mr Bowes said: “You attacked her and stabbed her, didn’t you?”

Restivo replied: “I saw Elisa leaving the church, I don’t know where this place (the loft) is.”

Mr Bowes continued: “She struggled back, didn’t she?”

Restivo said: “I saw Elisa Claps leaving the church at 11.50am, I’ve never seen this place.”

Mr Bowes then went on to describe that Elisa cut her hand deeply as she struggled with Restivo, who had a knife.

Restivo answered again that he saw Elisa leave at 11.50am.

Mr Bowes said Restivo also received a cut from the knife, again Restivo replied to say he saw Elisa leave the church.

The trial continues.