A 73-YEAR-OLD woman besotted with a man accused of murdering a millionairess told a jury he was “good company”, a court heard.

However, Jennifer Creasey added that her married lover “didn’t always walk the straight and narrow”.

Creasey, of Hale Road, Benson, near Wallingford, who is accused along with Christopher Symons and his sister Kathleen Adams, 74, of being involved in the disappearance and death of Patricia Goodband, was giving evidence to a jury on her own behalf.

Symons is accused alone of murdering Ms Goodband, whose body was found more than a month after she disappeared, buried in a deep shaft in her own back garden.

She had been battered around the head before her body was dumped and covered with rubbish.

Divorcee Creasey defended herself on two counts of perverting the course of justice.

She told the jury at Reading Crown Court yesterday that she met Symons 31 years ago.

She said he initially told her he was divorced and only confessed he was married after she had become “fond” of him.

Mrs Creasey said: “He was good company and fun, but he was controlling.

“I always thought that he didn’t walk the straight and narrow.”

Creasey recalled 25 years ago being introduced by Symons to a woman he said was his sister, “Pat”.

Creasey told the jury that about four years ago Symons told her “Pat” died of cancer.

The jury previously heard Ms Goodband was last seen alive last year.

Her body was found after a “painstaking investigation” of her home in Woodham, Buckinghamshire, on January 21 this year.

The prosecution claims Symons, who stood to inherit Ms Goodband’s fortune, used his sister, Adams, and his lover, Creasey, to cover up the crime.

Creasey admitted writing a Christmas card to “Pat” from “Sue” which suggested Ms Goodband had headed North to visit a friend.

David Hislop, defending, asked her: “At the time of writing the card what did you believe the purpose was?”

“I had no idea,” she replied.

“Did you give it any thought at the time?” he asked.

“Not at the time. I think later, I thought it was a bit strange,” Creasey said.

When asked what she would have done if Symons had asked her to write the card to throw police off the scent after killing a woman, she replied: “I wouldn’t have done it.

“I would have rung the police and told them. I wouldn’t condone a crime like that.”

Symons, of Cambridge Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, denies murder.

Adams, of Aylesbury Road, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, denies one count of perverting the course of justice by lying to police officers.

Creasey of Hale Road, Benson, also denies perverting the course of justice by writing the “Sue” Christmas card, and lying to police officers.

The trial before Judge Zoe Smith continues.