AN alleged killer of two French students was "smirking" and "sniggering" when asked about the murders, a court heard today (May 12).

Dano Sonnex was asked by police on July 11 and July 12 last year about the murders of Laurent Bonomo and Gabrial Ferez, stabbed a total of 244 times in Sterling Gardens, New Cross, on June 29.

Detective Constable Chris Mogan told the Old Bailey he had asked Sonnex how long it had taken for Mr Bonomo to die.

Sonnex made no comment but Mr Mogan told him: "You're smirking, almost breaking into a laugh."

Mr Mogan also claimed Sonnex smiled when asked if the students were pleading with him to stop stabbing.

And when shown photos of the two dead students, the defendant was again alleged to have been "sniggering".

Days earlier, on July 7, Nigel Farmer, who is also accused of the murders, handed himself into Lewisham police station and allegedly confessed to two women in the waiting area.

In a statement read out in court, Lucy Downer described how Farmer, who admits setting fire to the crime scene under duress, had come "bounding in" to the station and was sent to the waiting room.

Ms Downer said: "I noticed his hands were bright red and his face was flakey.

"I couldn't smell alcohol but I thought he was definitely high on something."

Ms Downer said Farmer was rubbing large amounts of cream into his burnt hands as he waited and was letting out a "sort of a sigh or a groan".

She said: "I was unnerved by his behaviour.

"It was more than odd."

The witness claimed Farmer then started waving his arms around and said: "I just killed two people and the police don't want to do anything about it."

She said Farmer also complained of having "third degree burns" and said: "I've just killed two people in New Cross."

In a separate statement read out in court, a teenage girl who was with Ms Downer at the police station claims Farmer was also laughing and that he said: "I just want to go to the pub."

Farmer disputes Ms Downer's and the girl's claims but neither witness was able to appear in court today.

In police interviews Farmer refused to answer any questions, including whether he had been threatened by the Sonnex family into starting the Sterling Gardens fire.

Farmer, aged 34, of no fixed address, and Sonnex, aged 23, of Etta Street, Deptford, deny murder, arson and false imprisonment.

Sonnex admits burglary but Farmer denies the charge.

The trial continues.