Shohfah-El Israel, 40, from Cricklewood, North London, is on trial at Reading Crown Court for the alleged murder of Joy Morgan.
The jury has heard that Ms Morgan has not been seen or heard from since attending a United in Christ church celebration dinner on Boxing Day last year.
Giving evidence on Tuesday, Israel admitted that he had allowed an “upset” Ms Morgan to stay at his Cricklewood home after the event.
The pair watched videos, ate dinner out and discussed issues affecting their church on December 27 and 28, the jury heard.
Israel said that during their conversations, Ms Morgan revealed she was “leaving the church” that he said had been hit by “controversy”.
He explained that after the church dinner, the plan had been to leave Ms Morgan with his wife at their home in Luton, before he went to stay at his other home in Cricklewood.
Israel described the student as “100% part of the family” who was like a “daughter” and frequently stayed at both properties.
But on December 26, Ms Morgan asked to be taken to her accommodation in Hatfield instead, Israel told the court.
He said he drove her there and on arrival she started “crying” and said she was “leaving”.
Ms Morgan, who was 20 years old when she disappeared, asked to stay at Cricklewood instead, but Israel said it was not a good idea.
“I was already breaking the rule by dropping her off,” he told the court.
“If…
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