Tycoon Nicholas van Hoogstraten behaved "impeccably" whenever he was before a Brighton County Court judge, the Old Bailey heard.

Judge David Jackson was called to give evidence by the millionaire landlord's defence team yesterday.

The deputy district judge said he presided over litigation between Hoogstraten and businessman Mohammed Raja on two or three occasions.

When asked by Hoogstraten's counsel, Richard Ferguson QC, how his client had come across, Judge Jackson replied: "Impeccably, when he was giving evidence.

"There was never any suggestion of him protesting in the court or anything like that."

Hoogstraten is charged with murdering 62-year-old Mr Raja on July 2, 1999.

Hoogstraten spent six days in the witness box in the murder trial, finally stepping down at midday yesterday.

During that time he became rattled on a number of occasions while being cross examined by David Waters QC.

He queried the fairness of certain questions put to him by Mr Waters but the judge, Mr Justice Newman, rebuked the tycoon for criticising the prosecution team's methods.

Hoogstraten, 57, of High Cross Estate, Framfield, near Heathfield, denies murder.

He also denies conspiring with David Croke, Robert Knapp and others to murder Mr Raja.

Croke, 59, of Bolney Road, Moulsecoomb, Brighton, and Knapp, 53, of Convent Street, Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick, deny murder.

The trial continues.