A woman accused of murdering a man has admitted she did nothing to help him because she was scared for her own life.

Sean Miles, 37, was found bruised, naked and drowned in the River Thames at Sandford Lock last May 1.

Karen Fathers, 35, of Alice Smith Square, Littlemore, Oxford, denies murder along with Edward Doyle, 34, Terry McMaster, 24, and Tracey Fathers, 35 - all of the same address.

Karen Fathers told Oxford Crown Court yesterday she drove to pick up Mr Miles from his home in Herschel Crescent, Littlemore, at about 11.30pm on April 31 last year, because she felt frightened by Doyle.

She said: "Doyle told me he's got to pay for what he's done'."

Fathers said she remained in boyfriend McMaster's flat and watched as Doyle cut Mr Miles's head.

She said Doyle told Miles: "That's what you get for being a paedophile."

Fathers also said she watched as Doyle tried to strangle Mr Miles, before hitting him in the ribs, back and legs with a golf club.

Fathers said: "I heard him say 'die you bastard, die'."

Prosecuting barrister Adrian Redgrave QC asked why she had not dialled 999.

She replied: "I was scared for my own life."

She said the five of them then walked to the River Thames and Mr Miles was made to strip naked.

She said she realised something "nasty" was going to happen - that Mr Miles was going to be thrown into the water.

Fathers admitted lying to police repeatedly during police interview, but denied pushing Miles into the River.

The trial continues.