COLLEAGUES of the man accused of murdering Charlotte Flanagan were stunned and shocked when they were told he had been arrested, a court heard.

In a statement read out on behalf of Blackburn with Darwen social services manager Jane Clough, an Old Bailey jury was told she had never seen Gareth Horton lose his temper in the nine years she worked with him.

Horton, 29, of Walmsley Street, Darwen, denies murdering Charlotte after a New Year's Eve "Vicars and Tarts" party at the Barley Mow pub in London's West End.

Charlotte had gone to London and found work at the pub during a year out in the capital before beginning a nursing course.

The jury at the Old Bailey has been told the major issue in the case was whether Horton, who had developed an obsession with his friend, was acting with diminished responsibility.

The prosecution allege that he murdered Charlotte in a jealous rage brought on by the news that she had found herself a boyfriend and Horton feared he was going to lose her.

David Spence, defending, read out a statement by Mrs Clough, who was manager of both Horton and Charlotte.

She said: "On January 2, I got a call from a member of staff who said Gareth's father had called to say that Charlotte was dead and that they were holding Gareth.

"We could not believe it. It was a total shock. We had never seen him lose his temper. We had never seen him and Charlotte argue. He didn't seem capable of hurting anyone."

Mrs Clough said that Horton began working in a respite home run by social services in 1993.

Charlotte began working at a different home, in Marsh House Lane, Darwen, around three years ago. She was moved to work in the same home as Horton, in Pole Lane, Darwen, soon afterwards because she was finding it difficult to work with some of her colleagues.

Mrs Clough said: "Charlotte always appeared to be a carefree girl, pleasant and popular.

"However, soon after starting working for us, she split up with her long-term boyfriend and suffered mood swings. She also used to say she hated herself."

She added that Horton only began to take time off work for depression after he moved in with Charlotte at her home in Walmsley Street, Darwen, in May last year.

She said sometimes Horton would blame Charlotte for getting him down.

"He was always talking about her, he obviously cared for her a lot," Mrs Clough added.

Charlotte went to St Cuthbert's Primary and St Wilfrid's schools and also worked as a mentor for the Trinity Partnership in Clitheroe.

(Proceeding)