A WOMAN has told a murder trial how as a 14-year-old she met up with the alleged killer for sex in a wooded area of Southampton.

The witness, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she had been arranging to get a tattoo from Stephen Nicholson, of no fixed address, in June 2012, when she agreed to meet him.

Nicholson, aged 25, is currently on trial over the murder of Southampton teenager Lucy McHugh, which he denies.

Lucy's body was found stabbed to death in woodland at Southampton Sports Centre in July last year.

He also denies two allegations of sexual activity with a child against Lucy on multiple occasions and denies sexual activity with a child in relation to another girl aged 14.

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The witness told Winchester Crown Court she had heard Nicholson, who she said she did not know at the time, would be willing to do underage tattoos.

She said she began messaging Nicholson, with messages becoming flirtatious before Nicholson asked her if she wanted to have sex.

They agreed to meet up at an address, but had to leave after a friend turned up, according to the woman.

She said she walked with Nicholson to Southampton Sports Centre, adding: "He asked if I still wanted to have sex and I said no because we were now outside, and I didn't feel comfortable with that. He kept persisting."

She then told members of the jury she had sex with Nicholson before walking back. Later that afternoon she returned with a friend to get a tattoo done by Nicholson.

Defence barrister James Newton-Price QC questioned details in her evidence and accused the witness of lying about meeting and sleeping with Nicholson, which she denied.

Mr Newton-Price questioned why she was not willing to turn up at a stranger’s house for a tattoo without speaking to him but was willing to go to an address she had never been to before and have sex with a man she had never met before.

The witness said: "I was 14, I was stupid."

The defendant denies all the charges. The trial continues.