A MAN is standing trial accused of murdering a young mum addicted to heroin in his Lancaster flat, which was frequented by drug users.

It is claimed that Clare Sabear Benson-Jowry was strangled by Paul Culshaw in what appeared to have been a sexually motivated attack.

A jury at Preston Crown Court heard that Culshaw has a previous conviction for attempted murder and indecent assault, which the prosecution claims shows a propensity to violence.

Culshaw, 37, is accused of murdering the 23-year-old between June and July last year a charge he denies.

Ms Benson-Jowry's near naked body was found at a flat in Austwick Road on the Ryelands estate, a flat of which he was the tenant.

A shoelace had been used as a ligature, tightened around her neck.

The body was badly decomposing, but strangulation was determined as the cause of death.

Graham Wood QC prosecuting, said the gruesome discovery was made on July 15. Ms Benson-Jowry had last been seen alive around three-and-a-half weeks previously.

She was an attractive young woman and well liked in the area. She had been living in bed and breakfast accommodation and had spent the previous night at a hotel in Morecambe.

She had been struggling with a heroin addiction for several years and although she sought rehabilitation, it was still ruling her life at the time of her death.

It was said that Culshaw also known as Cully - disappeared around the same time or shortly after she was last seen alive.

For a short period of time he was living in a wooded area near Penrith. He had moved to the Ryelands estate two or three years earlier.

Although not a drug user himself, he would occasionally use cannabis on a recreational basis, Mr Wood told the court.

"The defendant would allow his flat to become a refuge for heroin addicts where a sin bin of paraphernalia for heroin could be left."

Clare Jowry had been to the flat before. On the evening of June 20 last year she had visited a friend in the same part of Lancaster and later said she was going to the flats for ten minutes. She never returned.

In July police forced entry to Culshaw's flat after neighbours were concerned about a dreadful smell coming from the premises. Her near naked body was found in a bedroom.

He said Culshaw had previously expressed an interest in her saying he fancied her.

The prosecution also say that his fingerprints were found on her bus ticket that was also discovered at the flat. A baseball bat found in the living room bore hairs that matched her DNA.

"It is likely she was struck with the bat in the living room and then taken to the bedroom, possibly unconscious," said Mr Wood.

Culshaw was likely to claim that he had been having a bath while Ms Benson-Jowry was in the lounge. He had then left her to go and look for a cigarette ends he could use and came back forty-five minutes later to find her dead.

He panicked and went on the run.

The court was told that around 16 years ago the defendant received a substantial jail sentence for indecent assault and attempted murder.

He had been previously married and twice convicted of using violence towards his wife.

The trial continues.