THE man accused of murdering Heather Barnett was found with a large fillet knife in his car while under surveillance two years later, a court heard today.

PC Ian Fryett told Winchester Crown Court he found the knife during a search of Danilo Restivo’s white Metro car which was parked at Throop Mill car park on May 12, 2004.

When he approached Restivo, PC Fryett said he was “sweating profusely”. “It was dripping from his nose and his face. It was the first thing that struck you.”

PC Fryett searched the boot and among items found two jackets, some black bin bags and a bum bag with a number of Restivo’s personal items inside.

The court heard the officer asked Restivo whether there was anything sharp in the car and Restivo replied: “There’s a knife in a bag in the back.”

PC Fryett found a black holdall in the foot well behind the driver’s seat and inside was a large fillet knife and a packet of tissues.

He also discovered two pairs of scissors in the driver’s door pocket, a pair of gloves and a balaclava in the pocket of a jacket, another jacket and another pair of gloves.

David Jeremy QC, defending, put it to PC Fryett that Restivo offered to show him where he’d found the knife.

PC Fryett replied: “I don’t recall asking him any questions about the knife.” He said he spoke to surveillance officers told them what he’d found and he didn’t recall having any further discussion about the knife.

The jury were shown surveillance video footage taken of Restivo at secluded wooded areas in Throop Mill and Pig Shoot Lane in Bournemouth on May 11 and 12, 2004.

The footage showed him walking around the two areas, sitting down in tall grass as a woman walked by and changing his clothes and shoes at the boot of his car.

Restivo, 39, of Chatsworth Road, Charminster, denies murdering Heather Barnett on November 12, 2002.

The trial continues.