Marian Bates co-owned the Time Centre

Craig Moran, 23, told Stafford Crown Court that he was celebrating his girlfriend's birthday when Marian Bates, 64, was killed in Nottingham.

Mr Moran is accused of conspiracy to rob the Time Centre shop on 30 September 2003.

He denies conspiring to pervert the course of justice by allegedly concocting a false alibi.

'No false alibi

His girlfriend Lisa Unwin, 23, also of Bestwood, also denies conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

Mr Moran told the jury he was at home with Ms Unwin and their young daughter on the afternoon of 30 September.

He was asked: "Did you have anything to do with the robbery at the Time Centre?"

Moran answered: "No I didn't."

He was also asked about a transcript of a telephone conversation he had with Ms Unwin on 1 March last year while he was in custody at Lincoln prison.

Everything that was said during the conversation was true, Mr Moran insisted, adding that he had not conspired with Unwin to "put up" a false alibi.

Earlier, 19-year-old Peter Williams, who is accused of murdering Mrs Bates, declined to give evidence in his own defence.

Mr Williams, of no fixed abode, also denies conspiracy to rob, possessing a firearm with intent and causing grievous bodily harm to Mrs Bates' husband Victor.

Dean Betton, 23, from Broxtowe, Nottingham, also declined to give evidence. He denies conspiracy to rob.