JURORS were played a secret recording of a man accused of murdering a Hampshire grandmother allegedly trying to fix himself an alibi.

The covert recording was made in July 2010 when Matthew Hamlen was being held by police for the killing and he was visited in custody by his mum Linda Manning.

It's the first time the seven women and five man jury at Winchester Crown Court have heard the voice of the man who allegedly tortured and battered 77-year-old Georgina Edmonds to death at her cottage in Brambridge near Eastleigh on January 11, 2008.

In the taped conversation, Hamlen was heard to say he was the subject of "a witch hunt" and he was being set up.

He also said when he was first interviewed by detectives investigating Georgina's murder he believed he was with friends including Sarah Wrigley.

His mum then offered to visit her, to see if that was the case.

When Hamlen told his mother that he had been advised by his solicitor that approaching Sarah "could backfire" Ms Manning replied: “Not if I go round there tomorrow and speak to her.”

The court then heard evidence from Sarah Wrigley in person, who told the out she didn't know Hamlen in January 2008 and was not with him at a party.

Hamlen, 33, of Hamilton Road, Bishopstoke, denies murder.

Proceeding