A City bank worker who allegedly strangled a police officer and dissolved his body in an acid bath “wanted to be a part of” hit TV series Breaking Bad, the Old Bailey heard today.

Stefano Brizzi, 50, is accused of murdering PC Gordon Semple during a chemsex party after they had met through gay dating app Grindr. He is alleged to have chopped up Mr Semple’s body with a saw before apparently cooking and eating some of the flesh.

Jurors heard Italian-born Brizzi lost his job at financial giant Morgan Stanley after getting hooked on crystal meth, and used to search online for men to have sado-masochistic sex with.

Alex Roberts, who knew him through a Crystal Meth Anonymous support group, said Brizzi liked to “glorify” Breaking Bad, and wore t-shirts featuring the TV show to meetings.

“He wanted to be a part of it, he saw it as amazing”, said Mr Roberts.

“We discussed it more in the group – I asked him not to wear the t-shirt when he went to the meetings.

“Someone asked me ‘please ask him not to wear that in the meetings, please ask him not to go on about Breaking Bad’.

“I don’t think he cared, I don’t think he was in the capacity of understanding.”

He told the court the Emmy award-winning show features chemistry teacher Walter White, who starts producing crystal meth to fund his treatment for cancer.

He then descends into the criminal underworld as he tackles rival drug dealers and violent threats to his operation.

“It’s a very sad story”, said Mr Roberts, adding that Brizzi “glorified” what happened on the show.

Brizzi is accused of murdering PC Semple on April 1 at his flat in Bermondsey after inviting him round for a drug-fuelled S&M party.

PC Semple was in a long-term relationship, but while he was supposed to be at work he exchanged explicit messages with Brizzi before agreeing to the meeting.

It is said Brizzi strangled him and then over the next few days set about getting rid of the body. He was caught on CCTV at a nearby DIY store buying buckets, a saw set, carpet cleaner and bleach.

Neighbours eventually reported an “overpowering” smell coming from the flat, and when police arrived they found Brizzi in his pants and bottles of chemicals scattered around the hallway, the court heard.

Parts of PC Semple were in buckets next to the bath, which was filled with a blue-green acid mixture and flesh.

Forensics later found PC Semple’s DNA on a chopping board next to the oven.

Prosecutor Crispin Aylett QC told jurors possible teeth marks were discovered on one of the officer’s ribs in the kitchen bin, leading to the conclusion Brizzi had cooked and eaten some of him.

Brizzi, who has admitted obstructing a coroner, confessed in interview to throwing some limbs in the Thames, and said he killed the Met officer because Satan told him to “kill, kill, kill”.

Brizzi, of Southwark Street, denies murder.

The trial continues.