A teenager accused of murdering a woman and throwing her body in a river told police his friend did it.

A murder trial at Chelmsford Crown Court has been told the body of Helen Maughan, of Colchester, was discovered in the River Colne, near Quilters pub at Middleborough, on May 20 last year.

The two teenagers, aged 13 and 16 at the time, deny a murder charge and have blamed each other for the death of the mother-of-two.

A jury of six men and six women heard yesterday how the older teenager told police he had made a cannabis cigarette and fallen asleep at the scene.

When he woke up 45 minutes later, he said he saw the younger teenager dragging Miss Maughan towards the river by her ankles.

However, the younger youth told police this version of events was "a load of rubbish".

He added: "He's just trying to get himself out of trouble."

The youth said the older teenager wanted him to leave the country with him to stop him from revealing what had happened.

He said the older youth punched and kicked Miss Maughan and at one point was sitting on top of her before she was kicked again.

The older youth then took her by the wrists and dragged her towards the river where he kicked her again, the teenager said.

Later on, when news of the death was revealed, the teenager said he spoke to his friend and told him he should confess.

The teenager told officers: "He said no way', and something like we should leave the country. Go to Scotland or somewhere."

He also said the older youth told him to come with him to prevent him from telling police what had happened.

In another interview, the teenager said: "All I have done is help the police. I would rather sit out in the cold than stay in a police cell.

"I should be paid for grassing up my mate," the youth said.

The two teenagers deny murdering Helen Maughan between May 18 and May 20 last year.

Aged 14 and 17, they cannot be named as the law does not allow defendants under 18 to be identified.

The body of mother-of-two Miss Maughan, 24, from Propelair Way, Colchester, was discovered half naked in the River Colne, on May 20 last year, by a man walking by the river.

  • The trial continues.