A man accused of stabbing to death a mother-of-five told police he was innocent.

Daniel Walker, 24, denied killing Melanie Gray, 37, who was found dead at a hostel in Crawley in April last year.

He said: "I did not murder Melanie. I don't know how Melanie was murdered."

Walker, a father-of-one, of Spencers Road, Crawley, denies murder at a trial at Lewes Crown Court.

In his interview with detectives, which was read out to the jury, Walker said he had nothing to do with the fatal stabbing of his former neighbour.

The court has heard Ms Gray was living at the hostel in Three Bridges Road with her partner Paul Johnson, who was in police custody at the time of the killing.

Her half-naked body was discovered by fire crews called to the Crawley Council-run hostel just after midnight.

Her killer had started a blaze after repeatedly stabbing her in the neck and chest.

The court heard Walker, who lived at the hostel until six weeks before the killing, was arrested three days later.

During an interview with detectives, he claimed he spent the evening drinking with friends in local pubs, including the Moonraker next to the hostel, before getting a kebab and going home.

He admitted knowing Ms Gray from when he lived with his girlfriend at the hostel. He claimed he had also worked with Mr Johnson.

But he denied having any relationship with Ms Gray other than friendship.

He said: "I haven't had any relationship with her. I just spoke to her. Just 'hello, how are you doing?' "

He said he had not seen her for a couple of months before she was murdered and denied ever having sex with her.

After being informed semen found in her body was believed to be his, following DNA tests, Walker refused to make any further comment.

The trial continues.