British backpacker Grace Millane was “naive and trusting” and gave a list of fetishes to a man through a BDSM website, her murder trial has heard.

The 21-year-old University of Lincoln graduate, from Wickford, Essex, died on 1 December in a hotel room in Auckland, New Zealand, during a trip around the world.

A 27-year-old New Zealand man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is on trial accused of strangling Ms Millane to death after they met through the Tinder dating app.

The defendant denies murder and claims she died accidentally during consensual sex.

A police statement given by a man who spoke to Ms Millane through BDSM dating website Whiplr in the summer of 2018 was read to the jury at Auckland High Court on Wednesday.

Grace Millane trial: British backpacker 'murdered by Tinder date' Show all 11 1 /11 Grace Millane trial: British backpacker 'murdered by Tinder date' Grace Millane trial: British backpacker 'murdered by Tinder date' David and Gillian Millane (second from right and right) arrive at Auckland High Court, in New Zealand, on Wednesday, 6 November, 2019, for the start of their daughter Grace Millane's murder trial. The body of the 21-year-old British backpacker was found in a forest area near Auckland on 9 December, 2018 - a week after she was last seen. Michael Craig/NZ Herald via AP Grace Millane trial: British backpacker 'murdered by Tinder date' The parents of Grace Millane, David and Gillian Millane, arrive at Auckland High Court with Detective Inspector Scott Beard, 6 November, 2019. Phil Walter/Getty Images Grace Millane trial: British backpacker 'murdered by Tinder date' Candles and flowers are laid next to a photo of Grace Millane during a vigil at Civic Square Park in Wellington on 12 December, 2018. Marty Melville/AFP/Getty Grace Millane trial: British backpacker 'murdered by Tinder date' Defence lawyers Ian Brookie (left) and Ron Mansfield (right) arrive at Auckland High Court, 6 November, 2019. Fiona Goodall/Getty Images Grace Millane trial: British backpacker 'murdered by Tinder date' Crown prosecutor Brian Dickey arrives at Auckland High Court, 6 November, 2019. Phil Walter/Getty Images Grace Millane trial: British backpacker 'murdered by Tinder date' Auckland High Court Fiona Goodall/Getty Grace Millane trial: British backpacker 'murdered by Tinder date' People place candles and flowers next to a photo of Grace Millane during a vigil at Civic Square Park in Wellington on 12 December, 2018. Marty Melville/AFP/Getty Grace Millane trial: British backpacker 'murdered by Tinder date' David Millane speaks at a press conference in Auckland, New Zealand, on 7 December, 2018, while his daughter Grace Millane is still missing. Doug Sherring/NZ Herald via AP Grace Millane trial: British backpacker 'murdered by Tinder date' Undated photo issued by the Lucie Blackman Trust of 22-year-old British backpacker, Grace Millane, who is missing in New Zealand. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Friday December 7, 2018. Ms Millane, from Essex, was on a year-long round-the-world trip, but was last seen in Auckland at 9.41pm at the Citylife Hotel on December 1. See PA story MISSING Auckland. Photo credit should read: Lucie Blackman Trust /PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder. Lucie Blackman Trust Lucie Blackman Trust/PA Grace Millane trial: British backpacker 'murdered by Tinder date' CCTV still image issued by Auckland City Police of one of the last sightings of Grace Millane. Auckland City Police/PA Grace Millane trial: British backpacker 'murdered by Tinder date' BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE Undated handout photo issued by Auckland City Police of Briton Grace Millane, 22, who is missing in New Zealand. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Thursday December 6, 2018. Ms Millane, who is reportedly from Essex, was last seen in Auckland on Saturday night and police said they are growing increasingly concerned for her welfare. See PA story MISSING Auckland. Photo credit should read: Auckland City Police/PA Wire. NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder. Auckland City Police/PA

He said Ms Millane’s interest in BDSM (bondage, domination and sadomasochism) was “at the explorative stage” and described her as “naive and trusting” having used her full name on one app, the New Zealand Herald reports.

“I felt like Grace was more naive and trusting in the BDSM area,” he said. “The users could be any undesirable person online, and Grace had a naivety.”

The man said Ms Millane told him about her interest in bondage, electrical nerve stimulation and “breathplay” using a gas mask, according to Sky News.

Ms Millane’s Whiplr profile described her interests as “giving full control, sounds, accessories, restraints, controls and massages”, he added.

Parents David and Gillian Millane arrive at Auckland High Court in New Zealand on 6 November 2019 (Getty) (Getty Images)

The trial also heard from British sexual culture and pornography expert Professor Clarissa Smith, from the University of Sunderland.

Speaking via video link, Professor Smith said erotic asphyxiation could make the “heart race”, “skin tingle” and have “elements of feeling powerless and offers lightheadedness and exhilaration”, Sky reported.

The court heard how another man met Ms Millane on 30 November and the pair had sex after watching a film at his house.

The man told the court he may have put his hand on her neck during sex without her asking, but that he could not remember and that he “usually” did it “because girls usually enjoy it”.

Security footage played earlier in the trial showed Ms Millane and the defendant drinking at a number of bars and kissing repeatedly.

They were then seen walking arm-in-arm a short distance into the lobby of the CityHigh hotel where the defendant was staying.

Ms Millane was shown to follow the defendant out of the lift at 9.41pm. It was the last time she was seen alive.

The defendant has admitted putting her body inside a suitcase and burying it in the Waitakere Ranges, a mountainous woodland area outside Auckland.

The defence has now closed its case, with the defendant deciding not to give evidence.

The jury has heard all of the evidence, and prosecution and defence will give closing arguments on Thursday.