THE jury in the case of a man accused of the killing of a Teesside prostitute has been sent home for the weekend and will resume its deliberations on Monday.

Shaun Tuley, 30, of Mannion Court, South Bank, denies murdering Kellie Mallinson, whose asphyxiated body was found in Middlesbrough, on September 10, last year.

He admitted manslaughter, but this plea has so far been rejected by the prosecution in the trial at Teesside Crown Court.

The jury in the case was sent out yesterday afternoon to begin its deliberations.

Jurors returned a little under two hours later having failed to reach a verdict that they could all agree on.

Judge Mr Justice Jack told them to go home for the weekend and return to court on Monday morning.

Earlier, in front of a packed public gallery, he had summed up the case against unemployed Tuley, who paid £45 to have sex with 20-year-old Miss Mallinson.

Said the judge: "Kellie Mallinson had consented to sex, but had not consented to anything by way of force beyond that.

"The main charge that the defendant faces is that of murder. If you are not confident that Shaun Tuley had either intended to kill Kellie Mallinson or cause her serious harm you would have to consider whether he is guilty of manslaughter."

Tuley had complained of sickness during the hearing and was allowed to leave the dock for about ten minutes.

The case continues.