A MURDER accused said “you’re joking” when he was arrested almost 25 years after the brutal killing of Bradford woman Amy Shepherd.

Film from the camera worn by the police officer who knocked on Raymond Kay’s door on January 30 last year was today played to the jury at Bradford Crown Court.

In it, Kay says: “Come in love,” to the female officer, followed by: “What’s all this; something important?”

When told he is being arrested for the murder of 86-year-old Miss Shepherd, on August 2, 1994, he replies: “You’re joking.”

Kay, 70, of Baker Fold, Halifax, denies the murder of Miss Shepherd, who was sexually assaulted and robbed during an attack in her sheltered accommodation at The Folly Hall Gardens, Wibsey.

The prosecution alleges there is “compelling” DNA evidence against Kay who had delivered meals on wheels to Miss Shepherd two months before her murder.

Kay, who was 46 at the time, was then living at one of two addresses in Bradford, Blenheim Road in Manningham and Reevy Crescent in Buttershaw.

He was happy to provide a DNA sample to officers carrying out a review into Miss Shepherd’s death, the jury was told.

Kay told the interviewing police officers he did not need a solicitor “because I’m not guilty”.

“I don’t know the person. I don’t know where it was,” he stated of the killing.

Kay said he could not recall delivering meals on wheels to Miss Shepherd as part of a community service order.

“I just knock on the door and say ‘there you are love’,” he said.

Kay said he was on benefits at the time and working cash-in-hand as a painter and decorator. He was separated from his wife and had been cheating on her.

When told that his DNA was on the root of a hair found on Miss Shepherd’s neck, Kay replied: “There’s no way on earth.”

The police then said that swabs taken from Miss Shepherd’s body had been analysed by a new technique. There was “very strong support” that some of the DNA from the sample originated from him.

Kay said he could not explain that, adding: “Unless I’ve been sabotaged. They took swabs off me and they could have gone anywhere.”

When asked if he had gone into Miss Shepherd’s flat to rape her, Kay replied: “What do you think, I’m a sick animal or something?”

He continued: “I am not going to plead guilty to something I haven’t done.”

Interviewed again 10 months later, Kay said he could not explain why his DNA was on a tea towel used as a ligature to strangle Miss Shepherd, as well as on the swab from her body.

“There’s nothing there that proves anything. Not a thing,” he replied.

Kay also denied needing money at the time and thinking it was “an easy touch to steal from this old lady”.

The jury has heard that a distinctive ring was missing from Miss Shepherd’s hand, along with her keys, cash, a watch and a second ring.

The trial continues.