A MOTHER-of-three accused of murder denied threatening to kill her alleged victim, insisting they were friends.

Kathryn Taylor, 33, said victim Ricky Wyatt had been living at her home in Gaywood, Laindon, around April and May 2006, but she had asked him to move out because she was trying to kick her heroin addiction and he was still using drugs.

At the time of the murder, on September 1, last year, Taylor was instead living with Matthew Boulton, 30, now of Victoria Avenue, Southend, who stands beside her accused of assisting an offender.

Unemployed Taylor, who admitted her heroin and crack habit could cost her up to £130 a day, said she and Mr Wyatt hadn't fallen out but that she would "bicker" with him at times over drugs.

She said: "Like all addicts, I would squabble with Ricky over whether his share of the drugs were bigger than mine."

Taylor told the jury at Basildon Crown Court she would go out stealing with Mr Wyatt and they would use the money they got from selling the goods to buy drugs.

She admitted Mr Wyatt, 34, owed her £15, but she denied killing him for the money. She said: "I am sure lots of people owe me money or a smoke. It's not like I go hunting for money.

"If I woke up one morning and I was in trouble, I would get it off my mum or my sister."

On the day of Mr Wyatt's murder, Taylor said she had £25 on her and a stash of drugs, as she had been out stealing with Boulton.

She claimed she spoke to Mr Wyatt twice that day about selling the valium she had got earlier from the doctor and arranged to meet him at a friend's place in Eldeland, Laindon, at 3.30pm. He was also going to pay her back the money he owed her.

Taylor denied threatening Mr Wyatt during their telephone conversations and or that drugs made her violent. She and Boulton both deny the charges.

The trial continues.