PENSIONER Elizabeth Hedley's killer told a jury yesterday he was "more than sorry" that he caused her to fall to her death over a car park wall.

Michael McKay said he drove his car straight at the 60-year-old to scare her after she went "berserk" during a row in the North Street car park, in South Shields, South Tyneside, on February 14, last year.

Ms Hedley's body was discovered the following day.

Law student Mr McKay, 51, told the jury at Newcastle Crown Court: "It is tragic. It is something that will stay with me. I am more than sorry."

Mr McKay told the court how Ms Hedley had spoken menacingly to him after he had second thoughts about paying her £30 for sex.

Mr McKay said he felt threatened and that he believed Ms Hedley had moved to the left as he attempted to steer to the right, and that he had no idea he hit her.

He said: "I was intending to turn and drive out of the car park, but foolishly I tried to scare her first.

"I wanted to demonstrate how angry I was and frighten her by driving towards her and turning at the last moment and driving off."

Mr McKay told the court that after crawling out of his car, which had overturned, he thought she had run off.

Mr McKay, of Vale House, Jesmond Vale, Newcastle, accepts he is guilty of manslaughter, but denies murder.

The trial continues.