A MAN accused of murdering his grandmother joked with his drug dealer he would "love to slap her", a court heard.

The exchange between Garry Kane, 41, and dealer David McFarlane took place the day after Kathleen Milward, 87, died, the High Court at Dumbarton was told.

It is alleged Kane killed Mrs Milward at her home in Brodie Place, Stonehouse, Lanarkshire, on January 3 by hitting her on the head with a blunt implement and applying pressure to her neck by means unknown. He denies murder.

Mr McFarlane described Kane as having a bad drug habit and said he bought more than any of his other customers.

But he said a police statement where he said that Kane had a £150- a-day heroin habit was incorrect.

Mr McFarlane, from Stonehouse, told the jury he had known Kane for nine months and said he was a regular customer.

The court heard that on January 2 or 3 Mr McFarlane was phoned by Kane, but by the time he got to his mobile it had stopped ringing.

Mr McFarlane said he rang back immediately and spoke to Mrs Milward. He said: "I asked, 'Can I speak to Garry."

He was asked by advocate depute Jennifer Bain, prosecuting: "Did you get any impression as to what sort of mood his gran was in," and he replied: "P****d off old woman. She was p****d off at him, I don't know for what reason."

The court heard that the day after Mrs Milward died Kane bought three fiver bags of heroin from Mr McFarlane about 3pm.

He said he was surprised because instead of just taking the heroin from him through his car window, Kane opened the front passenger door and sat down.

He said he began slagging Kane about his gran being annoyed and added: "Garry said, 'Aye I'd love to give her a slap'."

Mr Macfarlane added: "But it was said in fun. There was no bad malice in it."

Miss Bain asked: "This was on January 4?"

Mr McFarlane: "Yes".

Miss Bain: "Did he tell you his gran had been found dead the previous night?"

Mr McFarlane: "He never cracked a light about it. I never knew."

The trial continues.