A WITNESS who can only be identified as J' gave a chilling account of Rachel's final hours.

J's identity is protected by a Section 11 order, as her evidence is crucial to Wiltshire Constabulary's case yet could prejudice her safety.

She was persuaded to testify after a Leominster woman reported a conversation in St Peter's Post Office, Hereford, to the police in 2003.

The words "Wiltshire constabulary", and the phrase "he's scared of what he confided in me, because of what he did to Rachel's body" were all heard during the conversation, and movements were captured on CCTV.

In evidence to the inquest, J recalled an alleged confession from Simon Fitzgerald - Luke's brother - made several months after Rachel's death. She also said that Luke and Rachel had a volatile relationship, and claimed that Simon was involved in a cover-up.

"He (Simon) said that Luke was panicking saying, she's dead, she's dead. He (Luke) gave her the D (dose), but had stormed out of the flat because they had been fighting.

"He came back to her flat, but she was lying on the floor, dead. Simon drove down to meet Luke, got the keys to Rachel's flat, and saw her lying on her side but not curled up.

"There was a syringe on the floor, so he got rid of that one and put another in her hand. He said he gave the keys back to Luke, and told him he had nothing to worry about."

Before J's testimony the coroner read out a statement from Simon, who was not able to attend the day's hearing. In it, Simon had denied any involvement, stating he had not visited Devon since 1996 or 1997, and accused J of falsification: "If it's alleged that I had a part in Rachel's death, then there is no truth in that allegation," the statement read. "J, I believe, will try and get money for drugs if she can sell her story to the papers."