An odd-job man, accused of a frenzied knife attack on a prostitute, told a friend he was being "set up" and that he planned to flee Bradford, a Court heard.

Noel John Dooley appeared terrified about DNA evidence and asked his friend to give him regular telephone updates on the police investigation, Leeds Crown Court was told.

And it heard how Dooley, who was alleged to have knifed his victim 43 times, previously spied on prostitutes and their clients, and had visited one himself a week before the attack.

The 42-year-old denies the attempted murder of Nichola Hirst in the red light area of Listerhills, Bradford, a year ago.

Yesterday, the court heard a statement from Stuart Anthony Jackson, one of Dooley's friends who has since committed suicide.

Mr Jackson had told detectives how Dooley turned up at his home the day after the stabbing in an agitated state and with a cut on his head.

Reading the statement, Robert Smith QC, prosecuting, said Dooley told Mr Jackson dark clothing and a knife had been stolen from the caravan where he lived at Laycote Mills, Legrams Lane.

Mr Jackson asked if Dooley had dumped or burned them after "hurting somebody", but he replied he could remember nothing after leaving a nightclub and visiting an all-night garage.

The court heard that Dooley returned to Mr Jackson's house after reading an account of the attack in the Telegraph & Argus.

The statement read: "When he came back, he was in shock." It added that Dooley said the attacker's description fitted him "to a T".

It continued: "All he could talk about was DNA evidence. He said 'someone is trying to set me up'."

Later, Dooley told him he was leaving the city and said he would ring Mr Jackson every day at 7pm to get an update on the police investigation.

After taking his telephone number, Mr Jackson reported that Dooley said: "She must be dead" and "They are setting me up".

After Dooley left, Mr Jackson called 999 and officers later arrested him close to his caravan.

The prosecution described how Mr Jackson committed suicide, leaving two notes explaining he was addicted to crack cocaine, heard demons in his head, and felt violent towards others.

The court also heard that Mr Jackson had convictions for violence and dishonesty and one accusation of malicious wounding was discontinued in court after Miss Hirst's stabbing.

The trial continues.