A man accused of murdering grandfather Steve Berry was in contact with a prostitute who fleeced the victim out of thousands of pounds, a court heard.

Several messages between Paul Campbell and the woman were recovered from his mobile phone when he was arrested.

The communications from Messenger on Facebook in June 2015 indicated they met up.

The woman’s ex-boyfriend Grant Penfold previously told the trial she would visit Mr Berry’s former flat at Melville Court in Brompton and leave with cash.

He estimated the woman had taken about £30,000 from Mr Berry, but added: “That’s a bit much isn’t it?”

Martin Yale, for the prosecution, said in agreed admissions read to the jury of six men and six women that well-off Mr Berry had complained to the police about people taking money from him.

In January 2011, he said he had been paying a woman to go to his flat “and have fun with me”. On the last occasion, when she was heavily pregnant, he did not have any money.

She later returned with a man and asked for money. The man became aggressive when he said he did not have any.

They banged on the door making a hole in it. He called the police and they left when they heard sirens.

Mr Berry also reported his bank card had been stolen and used draw out £3,500.

In August 2011, he claimed a prostitute had taken £20,000 from his bank account.

Police made enquiries and discovered £3,000 had been withdrawn daily and cash purchases were made. A total of £7,201 was withdrawn in that period.

The woman visited Mr Berry in hospital and also had a key to his flat.

“He said he had considerable wealth and was unable to manage his finances,” said Mr Yale.

Mr Berry said another prostitute also stole money from him. In October 2011 she banged on his door at night and left it hanging off its hinges.

He wanted to move from Melville Court because she was causing him problems.

He moved to a flat in Kinross Close, Princes Park, where his body was discovered on July 12 by neighbour Graham Fitzgerald, 46, who was originally arrested on suspicion of carrying out the killing.

He was released from custody following the arrest of 30-year-old Campbell, known as Noodles, whose palm and fingerprints were found on the oven in the kitchen.

When arrested, Campbell, who worked at Auto Renovations in Hoo, where his mother Susan was also employed, said: “I didn’t do it.” He claimed he had never been to the flat.

Mr Berry, 59, died from a combination of haemorrhage and head injury from “multiple blunt impacts” and penetrating knife injuries to his head and face.

He had severe head injuries including a fractured skull and brain damage. There were stab wounds to the upper chest and defensive injuries to both hands.

A pathologist concluded that food tins, a Stanley knife or the broken handle of a milk pan could have been used as weapons.

Campbell, of Farley Close Chatham, denies murder. He did not give evidence.

The trial continues on January 3.