A mother found strangled in woods was left stranded miles from home by her fiance two days earlier, a jury heard.

Lewes Crown Court was told Bill Janes had been arguing with Karen Heywood on December 30.

Two days later, on January 1, Mrs Heywood, a mother of two, was found partially-clothed in woods in Houghton, near Arundel.

The court heard that on December 30 the couple were in a car with three others being driven to Brixton to pick up £1,000-worth of heroin.

Yvonne Holbrook, who drove part of the way, said that during the journey Mrs Heywood and Mr Janes had argued. When they arrived in Brixton Mrs Holbrook made several calls to a drug dealer but without success.

The car was then parked up for more than half an hour while more calls were made to try to contact the dealer.

Philip Katz, prosecuting, said while the car was parked Mr Janes and Jarno Cable, 25, of Laurel Grove, Bognor, visited a nearby garage for refreshments.

While they were gone, Mrs Holbrook said Mrs Heywood had told her she dreamed of getting married and having more children. Mrs Heywood then went to visit the toilets.

While she was gone, Mr Janes and Cable jumped back in to the car and told Mrs Holbrook: "Quick, drive, drive."

Mrs Holbrook said: "I drove because I thought they had probably stolen something from the garage. I said, what about Karen, and Bill said 'she'll be all right'."

Cable and Mr Janes started rifling through Mrs Heywood's handbag which she had left in the car.

Cable, who denies murdering 35-year-old Mrs Heywood, passed a £20 note to Mrs Holbrook for petrol, then later tossed the handbag into a dustbin.

The case continues.