ACCORDING to Heidi Kennedy, the only reason she became embroiled in the death of Martin Dines was because she didn’t want to waste a sunny day.

The first time the 47-year-old met Mr Dines, Hartley or Miller was on the day of the incident.

Kennedy – who was in a casual relationship at the time – had been invited into town for a drink with her then partner.

She said she usually thought drinking cans of lager or cider on the streets or in the boneyard – a nickname for St Mary’s church yard – was “a bit common”.

But when her boyfriend decided to go home because he was feeling unwell, Kennedy decided to stay out with a group which dwindled to just her and her co-defendants who she said seemed good company at first.

She was also impressed at Hartley’s fake boasts about the Parachute Regiment.

The mother-of-three moved to Colchester just three months before the incident in April, initially living in a women’s refuge.

She was then housed in Monkwick and did not know the area well.

Kennedy admitted shouting at Mr Dines during the night, stupidly tipping takeaway food over his head and slapping his friend Lisa Peck.

But she denies ever being violent to Mr Dines. She blamed Miller for the worst of the violence in the stairwell and Hartley played a minor role.

Kennedy was asked several times why she didn’t just leave the other two but said she was scared they might attack her if she talked or tried to get a taxi back.

She stayed at Hartley’s flat after Mr Dines was killed but was called a liability when a discussion about fleeing arose and joined in when all three went out to steal wine.

Officers said Kennedy was stunned when they arrested her on suspicion of murder.