A woman on trial for murder said she helped her alleged accomplice conceal the victim's body because she herself feared for her life, a court heard.

Margaret Heeley (55) is accused of murdering her neighbour John Cogan during a drunken night at the home of their friend, Mark Postles.

The three, all of Flamborough Road, Thurnby Lodge, Leicester, were drinking in Postles' bungalow when Mr Cogan, 49, was beaten and stabbed to death in March last year.

Heeley, who denies murder, declined to give evidence during the trial at Nottingham Crown Court.

However, yesterday, her barrister Frances Oldham told jurors the defendant was held prisoner by Postles after Mr Cogan died.

Mrs Oldham told the court Heeley did not kill Mr Cogan and the fatal injury was caused by Postles. The court heard Heeley did stab Mr Cogan but said he was already dead and Postles had forced her to.

The trial had previously heard the pair carried out the murder as Mr Cogan had raped Heeley.

Yesterday, Mrs Oldham said Mr Cogan raped the defendant in June or July 2010 and again in February last year.

She said: "The defendant wanted to report the rape to the police but was dissuaded by Postles who said he would sort the matter out in time."

The prosecution had previously told the court Postles invited Mr Cogan for a drink before meting out summary justice for the alleged rape.

Mrs Oldham said Postles and Mr Cogan had appeared friendly on the night of the attack but the atmosphere changed as more alcohol was consumed.

She said: "Postles poured more drinks and said to John Cogan 'You know you are going to die, don't you?'"

Mrs Oldham said Postles ordered Heeley to fetch a knife, which she had done because she was scared.

Mrs Oldham said: "She thought, at worst, Postles was going to frighten Mr Cogan."

She said Postles, with a "calm demeanour," then cut Mr Cogan's throat twice.

Postles then threatened to kill Heeley and her family and forced her to help him conceal the body, Mrs Oldham told the court.

"Postles held her captive, against her will and ordered her to assist him," she said.

"She was in fear of her life."

The crime was discovered on March 24 – two weeks after Mr Cogan died – when Heeley called 999. She initially said she had acted alone.

Mrs Oldham said Heeley maintains Postles alone cut parts of Mr Cogan's body.

The court heard Heeley was a vulnerable, depressed alcoholic and struggling with her bills.

Postles denies murder.

The case continues.