A DETECTIVE has told a jury how he found the body of a wealthy 71-year-old spinster in her bed with a pillow over her head.

Det Sgt Justin Thomas was giving evidence at the trial of Peter Crittenden, aged 64, of Beech Avenue, Barbourne, Worcester, at Chester Crown Court.

He said that part of the pillow was in the mouth of Joan Beddeson, of Rayleigh Close, Macclesfield.

Crittenden has denied murdering Miss Beddeson, with whom he had been having an affair.

Crittenden was compared to Coronation Street villain Richard Hillman by prosecuting barrister Lord Alex Carlile QC on the opening day of the trial.

The prosecution claims that he smothered her with a pillow at her home after she started asking questions about the £279,000 she had handed over to him as her financial consultant.

Det Sgt Thomas said that Crittenden phoned Macclesfield police station about a week after her death and subsequently produced a will dated February 13, 2001, stating that he was the sole beneficiary of Miss Beddeson's estate.

Det Sgt Thomas said that in the initial phone conversation, Crittenden seemed "nervous and inquisitive".

He said: "It was not the attitude of someone who had lost a loved one."

The trial continues.