A DETECTIVE investigating Shana Grice’s murder told suspect Michael Lane it was like “ground hog day” listening to him change his story “time and time again” while being questioned.

Jurors heard Detective Constable Scott Elmer make the comment while interviewing the 27-year-old mechanic on September 2 last year – just over a week after Miss Grice was killed.

It was the sixth time officers had questioned Lane since the 19-year-old former Hove Park student’s body was found shortly before 10am on August 25 in her bedroom in Chrisdory Road, Portslade.

Footage of the interview was played during the murder trial at Lewes Crown Court this morning.

During the interview - between 12.46pm and 2.05pm – DC Elmer and Detective Constable Lee Taylor presented Lane with CCTV footage which contradicted his account of his movements on the morning of her death.

DC Elmer said he was “exhausted” from asking Lane to “tell the truth” and said his story had changed “time and time again” maybe three or four times during the interviews, the court heard.

At one point in the interview he said: “It’s like ground hog day. The same thing is happening. I have given you an opportunity to tell the truth. It’s only when the fact is in your face that you change.”

Lane said he had just been walking around Portslade and Mile Oak that morning “trying to clear his head”.

To which DC Elmer replied: “Your walking takes you all around Chrisdory Road.”

Lane: “I know it does. I know that.”

DC Taylor said: “Come on Michael, tell the truth.”

Lane replied: “Whatever I say you’re not going to believe me.”

Dc Taylor said Lane “lied and lied and lied and lied and lied over again”, adding: “You change your story to fit what we tell you.”

At one point Lane said being in custody was making him stressed and the questions were “confusing”, the court heard.

Earlier in the interview Lane was also asked how wipes with Miss Grice’s blood and his DNA came to be found near her body. He claimed he had used one to wipe his face when he went to her house two days earlier, on the morning of August 23, after they had sex.

DC Taylor said it was “extremely unusual, quite implausible” which made it hard to believe Lane’s account.

He later said: “Yet again this is you fitting your account to the disclosure we have given you.”

Lane said: “No.”

DC Taylor said: “Yes it is Michael.”

Lane: “No.”

DC Elmer: “So you didn’t have sex with her or try to have sex with her on Thursday morning.”

Lane: “No.”

Lane, of Thornhill Rise, Portslade, denies murder.

The trial continues.