A KIND collector had offered some of his spare coins to a man accused of murdering him in the weeks before his death, a court heard.

Gordon McGhee, 52, was found dead lying in a pool of his own blood in his flat in Forest Road, Colchester, in August.

Danny Bostock, 33, is accused of his murder and arson by trying to cause a gas explosion in his flat to destroy all evidence of what had happened.

Both men shared an interest in collecting coins - including limited edition Beatrix Potter 50ps - and it is alleged Bostock stabbed Mr McGhee after he disturbed the attempted burglary of the coins.

Mr McGhee's neighbour and friend Melissa Mcgrory, who also collected, said he had shown Bostock his tin of coins before he died.

Giving evidence at Ipswich Crown Court, she said: "Danny Bostock had come to my flat to drop something off and I was telling him about my 50p collection.

"He was interested and we would exchange conversation about out collections.

"Gordon was there and he got up and came back to mine with his tin.

"I think Danny was amazed by the collection.

"Gordon took his prize ones out and then said to Danny he could have a couple and Danny took some."

Alison Levitt, representing Bostock, suggested Mr McGhee was a collector of pieces not in circulation and older coins while her client preferred special edition 50ps and £2 coins with Olympic symbols on or Beatrix Potter character and would be keen to swap a spare "Mrs Tiddlywinks for a Jeremy Fisher."

READ MORE: Court hears death was over Beatrix Potter 50ps

But Miss Mcgrory said Mr McGhee collected all types of coins and had gifted her some Beatrix Potter ones for her collection.

The night before Mr McGhee was found dead, he, Miss Mcgrory, another neighbour, Bostock and a man called Daniel Welham had been socialising at the flats in Forest Road.

But a row had broken out between Bostock and Mr Welham over collectable coins which had gone missing from Miss Mcgrory's flat.

To stop the argument she self harmed in front of the rowing pair and went outside.

She called a taxi to take her to hospital and when she went inside Bostock had cut himself as well.

He told her he would join her at A&E but never got in the taxi.

Miss Mcgrory described Mr McGhee as a good friend and a companion, saying they had helped each other through difficult times in their lives and would often drink coffee and go on day trips to Walton.

Bostock, of Berberis Walk, Colchester, denies both murder and attempted arson.

The trial continues.