A POLISH man accused of murdering pensioner Edward Highwood has a history of attacking people to steal money, a court has heard.

Homeless immigrant Marcin Orlowski is on trial at the Old Bailey accused of murdering 79-year-old Mr Highwood at his home in Hollymount Close, Blackheath, on July 17 last year.

Today the defendant continued speaking from the witness box where prosecution lawyer Victor Temple asked him about his previous convictions in Poland - which include two robberies, eight burglaries and two thefts.

Speaking about the robberies, Mr Temple said: “Your first victim was struck on the head with a stick, kicked to the head and the body and his money stolen from his wallet.”

“Yes," replied Orlowski.

The lawyer continued: “There was a second man as well. Was that also for the purpose of stealing money?”

The 20-year-old again replied: “Yes.”

Orlowski, who claims he was provoked into hitting Mr Highwood with a glass vase because of the pensioner's unwanted sexual advances, was then asked why he did nOt run away.

Mr Temple said: “I suggest to you that if your evidence is true that all you had to do was to push him away and go. He was no threat to you.

“Why didn't you simply push him away and say 'You dirty old man – don't do that again' and leave?”

Orlowski replied: “I was in a state of hatred. It was an instinct.”

Finally, the lawyer asked: “When you were at Mr Highwood's house, did you suffer any physical injury of any kind?”

“No I didn't," replied Orlowski.

In addition to claims of provocation, Orlowski says his responsibility for the killing was “substantially impaired” by his chronic alcoholism.

The trial continues.