A TEENAGER has denied murdering a former Welsh Guardsman as he sheltered from the winter cold while sleeping rough.

Richard Jones, 47, was found lying in a pool of blood by a passer-by, who had stopped to offer him money for a bed in the early hours of New Year's Day.

The ex-soldier had drawn on his Army experience of the outdoors to make a bed for himself on the promenade at South Shields seafront, South Tyneside.

He had decided to travel around the country after the death of his 80-year-old mother, in Naomi, Treorchy, Wales, whom he had previously been caring for.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that he died due to brain damage after suffering multiple blows to the head at the hands of local youth David Pallister, 18, who was making his way from a party.

Mr Jones suffered a number of injuries to his head, including lacerations, bruises and abrasions, and had a broken larynx due to something being pulled tightly across the front of his neck.

He had also been the victim of a sexual assault, although it is unclear whether he was alive or dead at the time.

Toby Hedworth QC, prosecuting, told the court that after Pallister was confronted with the scientific evidence linking him to the scene, he suddenly changed his account of what he had been doing and said he had no recollection.

More recently, Pallister said in a statement he had been having dreams about the killing, the court was told.

Pallister, of Ashley Road, South Shields, denies murder.

The trial continues.