Victim 'ignored' murder accused

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A woman allegedly stabbed to death while on a date with the man accused of killing her ignored him during the date, the Old Bailey has heard.

Karl Taylor, 27, of Covent Garden, central London, denies murdering Kate Beagley, 32, in Richmond, south-west London, last May.

A woman who shared a table with them at a Richmond pub said Miss Beagley made no effort to join in the conversation.

Miss Beagley, of Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, was found dead four days later.

Phone texting

Mr Taylor claims he took a knife with him on the date to steal Miss Beagley's Volkswagen Golf car, but stabbed her after an argument.

The court heard how she had 31 stab wounds to her face and neck and was discovered lying in nettles in Oxhey Woods, near Watford, in Hertfordshire.

There was no conversation, only him talking to her Maureen Roncone, witness

Witness Maureen Roncone told police in a statement that as soon as the couple sat down in the Roebuck pub Miss Beagley "had her head down texting on her mobile phone".

"The man was talking to her but she was ignoring him, texting on her mobile.

"There was no conversation, only him talking to her. She continued texting. She was still texting when they left," she said.

The prosecution allege it was after they left that fitness trainer Mr Taylor, who had gone on the date armed with a carving knife and scissors, attacked her on a bench overlooking the River Thames on Richmond Hill.

Peter Clarke QC, prosecuting, said Mr Taylor said he told Miss Beagley: "All I want is your car."

He told police: "She pushed me away. She was grabbing me and I stabbed her in the throat.

"I constantly and consistently cut her in the neck because she was going for my face."

The trial has been adjourned until Thursday.