Mr Cuffy claims he found the body

Timothy Cuffy pleaded not guilty to the murder of Sandy Hadfield, whose body was found in woods near Boultham Park.

Mr Cuffy, 35, of Usher Green in Lincoln, is charged with killing her on 21 July last year.

The jury at Lincoln Crown court heard he has a fascination with knives and swords.

Missing clothes

Opening the case for the prosecution, Timothy Spencer QC played a recording of a 999 call made from a mobile phone in which Mr Cuffy explained how he had discovered a girl's body in the park.

He told the operator that items of clothing were missing and that she had a nasty wound on her neck.

Sandy Hadfield's body was found in Boultham Park

But Sandy Hadfield had been seen separately in and around the North Hykeham area on the day of the murder.

At about 1500 GMT, a girl fitting the youngster's description was seen going into Cuffy's house and a couple strongly resembling both were later seen in Boultham Park some time after 1600 BST.

Timothy Spencer QC, prosecuting said witnesses described the girl as being unsteady on her feet as if under the influence of drink or drugs and the man was supporting her.

The court was told that despite calling in about the body, Mr Cuffy had in fact killed the girl and was still trying to escape responsibility for the crime.

Mr Cuffy denies murder and the trial continues.