physical abuse designed to wear him down, his trial heard yesterday.

Watson's lawyer, Mr. Tim Marshall, turned the spotlight on Police tactics during the hunt for the attacker of 68-year-old Wilbur Doe in December, 1988.

The prosecution says Watson confessed to beating Doe with a wrench, leaving him in a coma in a pool of blood. Doe died months later.

But Mr. Marshall suggested to Det. Sgt. Stevie Lightbourne that during interviews leading up to the "confession'', detectives: threatened to pursue Watson's girlfriend; gripped him so hard his sweater ripped; mocked his childhood background, education and job; hinted he would get bail if he said the right thing; and started writing out a false confession statement.

Det. Sgt. Lightbourne dismissed the claims, saying detectives got on well with Watson and that the confession was unexpected.

He described three interviews -- on December 10, 11, and 17, leading up to the confession on the night of December 17-18.

He admitted he and fellow officers did not take notes during the final two interviews. He said it was a practical procedure for officers to write their accounts jointly afterwards.

Det. Sgt. Lightbourne confirmed Watson maintained his innocence in all three interviews.

He agreed that Watson seemed to change his story depending on information given to him by Police, but denied that on one occasion this happened because he was told he might get bail.

He also dismissed a claim that he launched a "personal attack'' on Watson's character with Det. Sgt. Raimondo Harrison, including "unseemly'' comments about his relationship with his employer, Freddie Thomas, and the Thomas family.

And he denied saying that once Watson was locked up he would be pursuing his girlfriend.

On December 17, he said, he and Det. Con. Peter Morgan interviewed Watson for two and a half hours, talking mainly about things unrelated to the Doe assault, like sports and Watson's personal life. He denied that Watson refused to answer allegations and was subjected to abuse.

"He was very talkative,'' said Det. Sgt. Lightbourne. "He initiated a lot of the conversation.'' He denied the purpose of the interview was to wear Watson out and keep him awake, and rejected claims that Watson's chair was taken away for a time.

He also denied telling Watson: "This will all come to an end if you just talk.'' Mr. Marshall then put it to him that Det. Con. Morgan began writing out a confession statement, saying: "We can submit this one and it doesn't matter that you don't sign it.'' Det. Sgt. Lightbourne replied: "Detective Morgan never did that. It's not true.'' He also denied gripping Watson when he slumped back in his chair, ripping his sweater.

Later in the day the court heard from consultant surgeon Dr. John Stubbs, who told how Doe died on August 19, 1989 after a bout of broncho-pneumonia. He said the pneumonia had resulted from Doe's inability to clear his air passages, due to deep unconsciousness. Unconsciousness had resulted from a "vicious assault,'' the most vicious he had ever seen.

Watson denies premeditated murder. The trial continues.