Nina Mercer, accused of murdering Alan Tomkins, said he wanted her dead prior to the stabbing incident in Strood.
Police found Alan, age 61, in his flat after friends were worried and called them. The flat was on Gun Lane, and the date was July 23.
Mercer, age 43, allegedly stabbed Alan multiple times while he was eating pizza. Afterward, she ran away. The deceased was a convicted child sex offender.
A probation officer, Saran Leech, testified in court. She worked with Mercer following a shoplifting case for which Mercer had a suspended sentence.
Leech first met Mercer in August 2023. At the time, Mercer was living in a forest tent. She seemed “emotional,” but “quite normal.” Mercer had a Strood address, but avoided it.
Mercer was required to attend drug rehab sessions, run by The Forward Trust, for heroin and crack cocaine use. While Mercer attempted rehab, she continued using drugs.
Leech learned of Mercer’s connection to Alan in December 2024. Mercer mentioned living with a “friend” some days, but Leech was unaware of a romantic relationship.
Leech was worried about the age difference and Mercer’s drug addiction. Despite her concerns, they seemed to get along “fine.”
In May, Mercer was homeless again after learning about Alan’s past crimes. She then left his flat.
A month later, she moved back in with him, claiming he bought her drugs.
Mercer told Leech that Alan was trying to kill her, believing he laced her drugs and spiked her drinks. She felt targeted.
Leech advised Mercer to leave his flat, but Mercer claimed she “had no choice” because she had to care for Alan’s cat.
Mercer told Leech she feared many people. She thought people in Strood wanted to hurt her, believing Alan “wanted her dead.”
Leech observed Mercer frequently looking behind her, acting paranoid. Her mental health was rapidly declining. Mercer also stated, “if anything happened to her, it was Alan.”
Leech felt concerned for Mercer’s safety, noting a decline in June and July. As a result, she made a referral.
Leech stated she only recorded what Mercer told her and did not verify the accusations. The truth regarding these accusations is still unknown.
Leech last saw Mercer on July 15, when Mercer said she bought a ticket to Spain with plans to see her family.
However, on July 24, after Alan’s body was discovered, Mercer sought Leech, appearing at the probation office. Leech had already left for the day.
Police arrested Mercer for murder two days later. She went to Newark Court early in the morning. Police investigated Alan’s death there.
Mercer is accused of repeatedly stabbing Alan and then allegedly fleeing the property. She supposedly called her friend for help.
Lee Robinson allegedly helped Mercer “cover her tracks.”
The pair went back to the flat. Robinson, age 45, took Alan’s wallet and cash card, using it to buy groceries.
Robinson faces charges for helping an offender. It is alleged that he drove Mercer from the scene using Alan’s car and aided in disposing of evidence.
He also faces theft and fraud charges relating to Alan’s wallet. He’s also accused of stealing another man’s cash cards around the same time.
Robinson recently admitted to those charges. However, he denies helping Mercer after the crime.
A pathologist, Benjamin Swift, testified last week. He performed Alan’s autopsy after his death.
Alan had ten injuries on his body, including six stab wounds and four possible defensive wounds.
The worst injury was from a 17cm knife that was plunged deep into Alan’s body. This was determined as the fatal wound.
Mercer denies the murder charge. Judge Oliver Saxby KC presides over the trial, which continues.