THE MAN accused of raping and murdering Ryan Mayes' pregnant girlfriend was "like a brother" to him, jury members heard yesterday.

During his evidence, Mr Mayes told the court he had known Whant all his life, but when he reached 13 he and Whant, who is his second cousin, started to form a bond.

Mr Mayes said: "He was like a brother to me. I could speak to him about anything. He was closer to me than my friends. We had a strong bond. We'd talk about things no one else knew. I'd tell him personal things and he'd tell me personal things."

The court heard that although Mr Mayes was very close to his cousin, Miss Grender did not like him.

Mr Mayes said: "She didn't like Carl because I spent a lot of time with him. Maybe she was a bit jealous. She just couldn't like him. The way he came across to her she didn't like that. She didn't like what he was about or what he liked doing."

He said Whant wasn't allowed in the flat he shared with Miss Grender sometimes and if Whant was there Miss Grender wouldn't speak to him.