SMILING killer Gareth Horton poses for the camera at a New Year's Eve party -- an hour later he stabbed to death defenceless Charlotte Flanagan.

The picture of the 6ft 8ins loner was taken at the Barley Mow pub in London, where his friend and victim had been working.

Horton, 28, of Walmsley Street, Darwen, became obsessed with Charlotte, 22, and killed her in her upstairs flat at the pub after discovering she had a new boyfriend, the Old Bailey has heard.

The former St Wilfrid's High School pupil from Darwen died from a stab wound to the neck sometime after midnight.

Horton has denied murder but his defence barrister has said he should be convicted of manslaughter because depression made him act with diminished responsibility.

David Spence, defending, was due to sum up today before the jury considers its verdict.