THE housemate of a 79-year-old gay man killed in his own home has been quizzed about his friend's sex life at the Old Bailey murder trial.

Ronald Bristow was living with victim Edward Highwood in Hollymount Close, Blackheath, at the time of his death on July 17 last year.

Homeless man Marcin Orlowski, aged 20, denies murdering the pensioner claiming he was provoked into hitting the victim with a glass vase due to his unwanted sexual advances.

Mr Bristow, who was away from home on the day of the killing, told the court his housemate was a “kind and generous” person.

He said: “If he knew someone was in need of money, and we're talking small sums of money, then he would provide it. He would do all he could to help.”

But under cross-examination, defence lawyer Nigel Lithman asked Mr Bristow about his housemate's sex life.

The lawyer said: “You seem to be a reasonably quiet man, where as he was more outlandish – is that right?”

“Yes – I guess so” replied Mr Bristow.

“Would you agree that he had a large number of acquaintances, and would you say that he had a strong sexual appetite?” continued Mr Lithman. Again, the witness replied “yes”.

“He would visit the town of Sousse in Tunisia up to six times a year,” said the defence lawyer, adding: “He used to book Tunisian boys and take them back to his bedroom for sex.

“He was attracted to down-and-outs. It was a sexual thing.”

But Mr Bristow replied: “I am not too happy about that as a clear-cut statement. It was not that black and white.”

The lawyer continued: “He used to flash his money around. He was a rich man in the valley of the poor.”

“Well in comparison, yes – but he wore clothes from jumble sales,” said Mr Bristow.

Prosecution lawyer Victor Temple then asked Mr Bristow: “In all the years you have known Mr Highwood, has he ever forced his sexual attentions on others who didn't want it?”

The witness replied: "No."

The trial continues.