An elderly woman who was repeatedly burgled before being battered to death asked police for help at least six times, a court heard.

David Munley, 56, of Byron Road, Worthing, is accused of murdering pensioner Jean Barnes at her home in nearby Tennyson Road in July last year.

Jeremy Gompertz QC, prosecuting, said Munley stole antiques from the 86-year-old's home both before and after killing her and sold them on to dealers.

He is alleged to have stolen paintings, furniture, a clock and vases belonging to the victim, a former translator for the secret service.

Miss Barnes, described by friends in court as an intelligent, eccentric person, called police on January 16 last year because she believed she had been burgled.

But officers could find no evidence of a break-in and contacted social services because they were concerned for her welfare.

On January 23, officers were again called to the house because Miss Barnes said two paintings had disappeared.

They checked the whole house but again could find no evidence of a burglary.

The jury was told Miss Barnes called the Sussex Police control room the next day and told an assistant she was concerned the officers had been in a hurry to leave and thought she was "a silly old lady".

On February 26, Miss Barnes told the police she had been attacked on her doorstep but there were no visible signs of injury.

Officers attending the scene believed "she was lonely and wanted to speak to somebody", the court heard.

In February, Miss Barnes was visited by a crime prevention officer who arranged for a new front door and window locks to be fitted.

Today Lewes Crown Court heard the pensioner's body was found on the floor, one foot sticking out from under a blanket.

WPC Sarah Loveland said Miss Barnes had suffered a serious injury to the right side of her face. There was blood in the hallway.

Police were alerted after Miss Barnes' friend, Hilda Woolven, phoned to say she had not seen her for several days.

When WPC Loveland arrived, the front and back doors of the semi-detached property were locked so she broke in through a rear window.

She found Miss Barnes' decomposing body lying in a room cluttered with furniture.

Under the blanket Miss Barnes was also covered by a dressing gown, which was pulled over her head.

A loaf of bread, which had not yet gone mouldy, was discovered in the hallway.

Ms Woolven said in a statement: "Jean was very security conscious. We would rarely answer her front door to anyone.

"I don't know of any reason why anyone would want to harm Jean in any way."

Munley denies murder, nine counts of burglary, and five counts of forgery.

The trial continues.