Man ‘used false name to meet, strangle ex’

A man assumed a false identity in order to meet his ex-girlfriend in a hotel room, where he strangled her, a murder trial jury has heard.

The prosecutor was giving his opening speech yesterday at the Central Criminal Court in the trial of Eric Locke, aged 35, who is accused of the murder of Sonia Blount, aged 31, in the Plaza Hotel, Tallaght, Dublin, on February 16, 2014.

Mr Locke, of St John’s Park East, Clondalkin, has pleaded not guilty. However, Patrick Gageby, defending, has said “the defence admits the accused caused Ms Blount’s death”.