The man accused of killing Walton business woman Kate Beagley says he had a knife because he was feeling suicidal, a court heard.

Karl Taylor, 27, from Kemble Street, Covent Garden, said he took the knife from a friend because he was feeling despondent and suicidal'.

"I got a premonition associating the knife with suicide," he said.

The fitness trainer said he got the knife from his friend Adrian Kargbo who suggested he put it up his sleeve as he was paranoid' about him being caught.

But Mr Kargbo denies he knew his friend took the knife, the Old Bailey heard.

Taylor was heading to Hyde Park to look at the stars' and mellow out' when he heard from Miss Beagley and they arranged to meet that evening.

"I forgot about the knife," said Taylor. "All of a sudden I was happy."

"I said let's meet', she suggested Chiswick and I said fine'."

Taylor said Miss Beagley picked him up in Chiswick and they decided to go to Kingston but they could not find anywhere to park so he suggested they go to Richmond Hill.

He said they intended to go to a pub near the river and watch the swans, the court heard.

Kate Beagley, 32, from Nelson Close, was found dead in woodland in June last year. She had been stabbed 31 times in the face, neck and throat.

Taylor denies murder and the trial continues.