A man has gone on trial for murder after his former girlfriend became religious and turned him in to police ten years later, a court heard today.

Anthony Carter is appearing at the Old Bailey accused of murdering Mohammed Farah, a waiter at the Dorchester Hotel, during a row in the street in September 1998.

The court heard that Mr Carter was linked to the crime during the initial investigation when his DNA was found on a baseball cap clutched in Mr Farah's hand.

He was arrested two years later, but released because witnesses failed to identify him. The DNA only proved that he had worn the cap, said David Waters, QC, prosecuting.

The breakthrough for police came when Mr Carter's ex-girlfriend Dassatta Lindo told detectives she remembered him having the Nike hat, Mr Waters continued.

“She was no longer with the defendant. She had also become very religious and felt a moral obligation to reveal what she knew," the prosecutor said.

“She recognised the cap as his and could recall wearing it herself on occasions.”

Mr Farah, 37, was on his way home when he became involved in an argument with a man on a bicycle. Mr Farah was seen lifting the bicycle up and the owner, alleged to be Carter, was heard to say: “Give me the bike or I’ll shoot you”.

Mr Farah pleaded back: “It’s only 50 quid, is it worth it?” He was shot in the forehead and had two knife wounds to the head.

Ms Lindo told detectives that her former boyfriend told her he had shot the Somalian because he was trying to steal his drugs in Phillip Lane, Tottenham, north London.

Mr Waters said: “She asked how he could sleep at night and said that he should give himself up.”

Mr Carter, 35, of no fixed address, was charged last August. He denies murder.

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