Pinner man's sword was Kevin Costner replica (From Harrow Times)

Sword in escort case was replica of one from Kevin Costner's The Bodyguard

4:14pm Friday 29th May 2009 in News By Jack Royston

A SWORD a Tamil man allegedly put to an escort's throat is a replica of one used by Kevin Costner in The Bodyguard, a court heard.

Janardan Ganesh, 27, said he invited the escort to his Pinner flat because he wanted sex on his birthday but ended up being arrested by armed police over a £9.99 plastic gun.

The escort, who called herself Sienna, says he put what she believed was a real firearm to her temple and later swung a 19th century, handmade Damascus sword around her head.

But Mr Ganesh denies the claims and refutes allegations he told her stories of “horrible killings” and rape.

He claims she posed with the gun “as one of those James Bond kind of girls” and asked to hold the sword which had been in a case on display in his living room.

He said: “She had seen the gun. She was thrilled. She was kind of excited. She asked me if she could see the gun.”

He says he told her it was a toy, which she denies.

He hired her to visit his flat, in Postmasters Lodge, Exchange Walk, at a rate of £110 an hour after seeing a picture of her posing topless on the website of Bubbles Escorts, based in Codicote, Welwyn.

He asked her to stay for five hours because she was a “very lovely girl” and claims she had three glasses of vodka and apple juice while there.

But while they were together he received around 30 birthday phonecalls from friends and family around the world, and left her by herself while he spoke on the phone.

Mr Ganesh says he was alone in his bedroom looking for cash to pay her with when he heard her voice behind him saying “hey, what you doing”.

He claims he challenged her, saying “why are you here, don't come in my room without permission,” and told Harrow Crown Court today how she apologised and hugged him.

It was then he says she saw the gun and asked to see it.

He says he showed it to her before asking her to go into the living room where he claims she asked to see the sword.

He told Harrow Crown Court how he went to the kitchen, leaving her by herself. He says he heard a “boom” and returned to find the sword on the floor and no sign of the escort.

The escort denies holding the gun and says she did not pose with it. She acknowledges having a conversation about the sword but claims he later put it to her throat.

Mr Ganesh denies one count of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear.

The trial continues.