Student 'strangled by jealous lover'

Court heard yesterday.

After the killing John Tanner hid 19-year-old Rachel's body under the

floorboards at her lodgings, spent the night there, then left next day

for his own home in Nottingham.

On the train journey he began to weave the plot he hoped would

convince police of his innocence, and wrote the first of two letters to

the girl he knew was already dead, the court was told.

In the letter he referred to the male ''friend'' he claimed had

greeted Rachel at Oxford Station as they waited for his train. He later

told police the other man had then given her a lift home.

Mr Tanner, 22, a second-year classics student at Nottingham

University, told police he and Rachel had a passionate, intense

relationship, often making love seven times a night.

They had made love all over the house where she lived in Argyle

Street, Cowley, Oxford, including in the loft, he claimed.

New Zealander Tanner, of Lenton, Nottingham, admits the killing but

denies murdering Rachel on April 14 this year.

Mr Peter Weitzman, QC, prosecuting, told the court Tanner travelled to

Oxford on Friday, April 12 to see Rachel, a second-year student reading

English at St Hilda's college.

They had met the previous summer when he was working as a barman in

Blackpool, her home town. They became lovers and regularly spent

weekends together at each other's homes.

But during his final visit to Oxford, Tanner allegedly told police, he

''flew into a rage'' when Rachel declined his offer to get engaged, told

him she had been unfaithful, and said she wanted to split up.

''She tried to strike me and instantaneously I flew into a rage and

proceeded to place my hands around her neck.

''I feel I must have lost control. This kind of reaction I have never

felt before and I am bewildered that I should do this to someone I loved

so much.

''It was as if something snapped inside my mind.

''In my confused state I decided I must hide the body and after

sitting on the bed I proceeded to remove her body and place it under the

house.''

After returning home, Tanner regularly telephoned Rachel's home

leaving messages for her with her flatmates Victoria Clare and Margaret

Smith, said Mr Weitzman.

On April 16, two days after her death, he posted the letter he had

written on the train.

In it he referred to a meeting with a ''friend'' that he later

described to police -- who staged a reconstruction in an attempt to find

witnesses.

''Still, at least you won't be lonely,'' he wrote. ''Fancy seeing that

friend of yours at the station. At least you didn't have to get a bus

home. It was nice of him to give you a lift.''

On April 18, Tanner wrote Rachel a second letter, said Mr Weitzman.

In it he wrote: ''I have tried calling you all week but I guess you

are working. A call would be appreciated.

''Being without you is a terrible burden to bear. Please write or call

soon. I love you, Rachel, now and forever.''

Police investigating Rachel's disappearance found the letters when

they searched the house, contacted Tanner and interviewed him before her

body was finally discovered on May 2.

Forensic pathologist Dr Iain West told the court he had found a ''very

prominent ligature mark'' on Rachel's neck and concluded she had been

strangled with something like a tie or cord.

In his statement admitting the killing Tanner said: ''The sorrow I

feel is overwhelming and I deeply regret my uncharacteristic behaviour.

I cannot understand how I managed to destroy that which I hold

dearest.''

The trial continues today.