FRIENDS of the mother of a man accused of murdering an elderly woman in her Hampshire cottage have told a court how he was a “caring” person.

Three people were called to give evidence about Matthew Hamlen – accused of murdering Georgina Edmonds at her home in Brambridge near Eastleigh four years ago – to describe his nature and personality.

Among them were Matthew Brett, the husband of Hamlen’s cousin, who said he had known the alleged killer for 18 years.

Mr Brett, a father of two, said he would often see 33-year-old Hamlen in the pub on Friday evenings and described him as “outgoing” and “a genuine chap” who was not dishonest or violent.

A former drug user, Mr Brett said he had used cannabis and cocaine for between ten and 15 years. He told jurors that he had visited Hamlen in prison and found him “OK, but obviously annoyed for being put in prison for something that he hasn’t done”.

Tamara Denny and Joanna Croney, who are both friends of Hamlen’s mother Linda Manning, told the court Hamlen was friendly, principled, caring and protective to his mother and someone who “had a nice way about him”.

Hamlen denies murdering 77-year-old Mrs Edmonds on January 11, 2008, by hitting her over the head with a marble rolling pin.

His defence barristers were expected to call the final witnesses in their case today.

Proceeding