JURORS trying a man accused of the savage murder of a Hampshire great grandmother have retired to start considering their verdict.

The judge, Mr Justice Bean, spent just 45 minutes summing up the case to the six men and women who have been hearing evidence in the trial since Monday.

Jamie Boult is accused of murdering the 85-year-old at her home in Atlantic Close, Ocean Village, on Saturday August 18 last year.

The 25-year-old from Chessel Crescent in Bitterne, described as a socil recluse, admits killing the pensioner by raining blows on her head with a lump hammer but denies murder. His defence team argue that he was not of sound mind at the time.

As previously reported, Boult walked into Delia's home at random through open patio doors and his behind her bedroom door. When she entered the room after hearing a noise, he struck from behind hitting Delia so hard she was knocked to the ground and part of her skull was shattered.

The court has heard how she suffered at least eight blows to her head, causing significant bleeding and brain damage.

Boult left Delia leaning against the bedroom wall, covered in blood with one leg outstretched across the door, and then stole jewellery and drank a carton of orange juice from her fridge before he left, drawing he curtain and blinds behind him.

Delia's daughter Beryl and son in law John made the gruesome discovery of her body when they went to her house that evening, having been unable to contact her by phone.

Boult was arrested around a month after the killing, on September 17, having gone to Bitterne police station where he smashed the window of a police car.

Inside the station he asked to speak to whoever was in charge with regard to the Ocean Village murder, the court was told.

Boult denies murder and a second charge of aggravated burglary relating to a break in at his neighbours home on August 14 last year when the gas was turned on, a knife was placed on the bed and the lounge was littered with beer cans. A guitar and jewellery were among the items stolen after Boult allegedly used an axe to gain entry via the back door.

Proceeding.