Lennon's former assistant denies plan to write book on the Beatle's last days

John Lennon's former personal assistant denied yesterday that he secretly plotted to cash in on the former Beatle's fame by writing a tell-all book and peddling "John and Yoko" dolls.

"I never considered myself a writer," Frederic Seaman testified at a Manhattan trial.

Yoko Ono, Lennon's widow, sued Mr Seaman in 1999, alleging that he violated a confidentiality agreement by publishing family photographs of the Lennons in a book entitled The Last Days of John Lennon: A Personal Memoir. She also claims he profited by stealing mementoes and selling them to collectors, which Mr Seaman denies.

At yesterday's hearing Mr Seaman admitted signing a confidentiality agreement but denied violating it, even when confronted with entries from his own journals suggesting he deceived Lennon all along. One recounted a conversation in 1980 in which he told Lennon he wanted a career in the music industry. "I'm glad I managed to throw him off track, and apparently convinced him I have no interest in writing," the entry read.

Mr Seaman confirmed the journals were his, but claimed his motives were pure. "It occurred to me that I was an eyewitness to history, and at some point I would like to publish a book about Mr Lennon," he said.

Ms Ono's lawyer, Paul LiCalsi, also showed jurors a copy of a contract that Mr Seaman drew up with a college classmate only five weeks after Lennon was murdered by a deranged fan, Mark Chapman. Mr Seaman acknowledged signing the deal to split profits from a book on Lennon and spin-off merchandise.

The lawsuit demands that Mr Seaman surrender the rights to 374 photos he took of Lennon, turn over about $75,000 from the sale of the rock legend's papers and pay unspecified damages.

Ms Ono dismissed Mr Seaman in 1981, unaware he had looted files after Lennon was shot outside their Central Park West apartment building, her suit said. In 1983, Seaman admitted stealing Lennon's diaries. He was given five years' probation and ordered to return the property. Mr Seaman said he has returned all the items; Ms Ono said he returned only some of them.

Mr Seaman claims he took the 374 photos in his own time and with his own camera, making him the rightful owner.

The case continues.