Jurors were today shown CCTV footage which places the man accused of murdering two squatters in a fire in Oxford close to the scene on the night of the blaze.

James Cox, 63, of no fixed address, is accused of killing Sian Sanchez, 36, and Howard Blake, 51, in a fire at a house near the Redbridge park and ride site on January 2 last year.

He denies two charges of murder relating to the incident at Redbridge Cottage, in Old Abingdon Road, between 3am and 4.30am that day.

Oxford Crown Court was shown CCTV footage from cameras at the nearby shop Go Outdoors, with excerpts taken from 11pm on January 1 until 5am the next day.

Dc Will Downey, who spent a fortnight going through the tapes, told jurors the first sighting of a man he believed to be James Cox was shortly after 1.30am, when he was seen walking past the shop wearing a dark hat, a long coat, dark trousers and dark shoes.

While viewing a clip taken at about 3am, Dc Downey said: "Here, a man who, in my opinion, is James Cox, appears to be crossing the road in the direction of Redbridge Cottage."

The same man was subsequently caught on camera several times between 3am and 5am.

But Stephen Mejzner, defending, said the CCTV footage from Go Outdoors did not cover the whole area, nor did its cameras face in the direction of the house.

Mr Mejzner said: "The officer is in no better position to give an opinion on where James Cox has come from and where he is going to than any member of the jury.

"James Cox does not know precisely where he was at any particular time.

"He accepts that he was walking up and down the road in that area.

"He does not accept that he was crossing the road going towards Redbridge Cottage."

The jury also heard from Pc Paul Phillips, who is the police liaison officer for the homeless community in Oxford.

He knew both Sian Sanchez and Howard Blake, as well as Cox.

After viewing the CCTV footage in court, Pc Phillips confirmed that the figure he could see on the tape was Cox.

He told the court: "Jimmy Cox was a regular rough sleeper. He was a regular user of night shelters and derelict buildings.

"He was part of a street drinking group and Jimmy and Howard Blake would often drink together. They could be arguing together one day, then friends again the next."

The case continues.