The court was told Mr Saadi had previously asked a lecturer at the University of Greenwich in 2023 about pleading self-defence to murder and DNA evidence.

The lecturer replied: “You’re not planning a murder, are you?”, the jury was told.

In March and April, Mr Saadi carried out internet searches for “deadliest knife”, “machete” and “what hotels don’t have CCTV”, the prosecutor said.

He booked a Travelodge in Bournemouth for two nights from 21 May, spending one of the evenings watching the film The Strangers – Chapter 1, which portrays a killer with no motive, Ms Jones added.

He also booked into a nearby guesthouse on 23 May, it was heard.

He told police he could not remember his movements on the day of the attack, suggesting that he may have had a blackout, the jury was told.

At his home in Purley, where he was arrested on 28 May, police found knives, latex gloves and a balaclava, the court heard.

However, no weapon or clothing from the night of the killing has been discovered, Ms Jones said.

The defendant has pleaded guilty to refusing to give detectives access to his mobile phone, the jury was told.

The trial continues.