Murdered businessman Mohammed Raja applied for an injunction against property tycoon Nicholas Van Hoogstraten in 1994, a court heard today.

The Brighton landlord was afraid of "physical or psychological" injury, a jury at the Old Bailey heard.

The injunction application was made during civil proceedings between Hoogstraten and one of Mr Raja's companies at Lambeth County Court. The action failed.

In a statement, Mr Raja's solicitor, Stephen Fairburn, said he met his client between 1997 and 1999, when he "expressed similar concerns to those he had had in 1994".

Mr Fairburn said he specifically remembered a meeting on March 25, 1999, three months before Mr Raja was assassinated.

He said Mr Raja had reiterated his fears while they discussed allegations of fraud against Hoogstraten.

It is alleged Hoogstraten paid Robert Knapp and David Croke to kill Mr Raja, 62, at his home in Sutton, Surrey, on July 2, 1999.

Hoogstraten, 57, of High Cross Estate, Framfield, denies murder and conspiracy to murder. Croke, 59, of Bolney Road, Moulsecoomb, and Knapp, 53, from County Limerick, deny murder.

The prosecution case closed today and the jury of six men and six women were sent home while the judge, Mr Justice Newman, listened to legal submissions.

The trial continues.