A Harlesden man accused of murdering his girlfriend and dumping her body in a canal said her bruises were sustained through drug-fuelled sado-masochistic sex they had together

Today the Old Bailey heard the claims from Tomasz Kocik, 38, who is accused of attacking deli worker Marta Ligman, 23, at their flat in Buckingham Road, before stuffing her into a suitcase.

The Polish fork-lift driver was captured on CCTV dragging the large case through the street more than half a mile to the Grand Union Canal on May 1 this year.

Ms Ligman’s body was recovered nine days later when the suitcase burst open as it collided with a houseboat moored near Little Venice on May 10.

He reported her missing after her body was found.

Kocik, giving evidence at the Old Bailey, described how he met Ms Ligman online in 2011 six months before she joined him in London.

They continued to share a room when the relationship broke down after she confessed she had a threesome with a man and a woman.

Kocik said that they became ‘friends with benefits’ and he agreed ‘not to split up entirely.’

The prosecution claim that Kocik was violent and jealous towards Marta Ligman and said the victim was seen with unexplained injuries to her face in the period leading up to her death.

But Kocik claimed that they both hit each other and called each other names during sex often after taking amphetamines.

He said: “That was her idea to act like that in that way. Marta got handcuffs that we used.

“I would hit her, she would hit me, whichever one was dominant at that time.

“A couple of times she had bloodshot eyes.”

He denies murdering Ms Ligman between April 28 and May 10 this year.

The trial continues.