The man accused of murdering Claire Tiltman told police he knew a man matching the description of the teenager's suspected killer.

Colin Ash-Smith, aged 46, is alleged to have stabbed Miss Tiltman nine times in an alley way off London Road, Greenhithe, on January 18 1993.

In a police interview held in December 1995 Ash-Smith told police he knew a man matching a description they had been given of a man in his 20s, between 5'9 and 5'10 with blonde hair, shaved at the back and sides, a round face and baby-type features, who had been seen on London Road at the time of Miss Tiltman's death.

He said in interview: "The description of the person you gave me, I recognise him.

"I know him from the RBL.

"He used to play pool and he knew Claire.

"He used to play pool with Claire."

Ash-Smith told police he couldn't remember the name of the man in question but knew he had "moved away shortly after the incident" to Darenth.

He said: "I asked my friend what had happened to the bloke as I'd not seen him for a while.

"He said, 'he lives at the back of me.'"

Ash-Smith said he would recognise the street but couldn't remember its name.

He added the last time he saw this man was at Miss Tiltman's funeral but did not speak to him.

He said: "I was upset that day."

In a follow up interview on December 14 it emerged that police had interviewed a man named, Lesley Young of Hill Rise about Ash-Smith's allegations.

When asked if he recognised the name, Ash-Smith had replied: "I know him as Les."

Police informed Ash-Smith that Mr Young had not dyed his hair blonde for 10 years and had eliminated him from investigations.

Ash-Smith denies murder.

The trial continues.