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Ben Butler trial: Murder accused's abusive texts read in court | Ben Butler trial: Murder accused's abusive texts read in court |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Abusive messages between a man accused of beating his six-year-old daughter to death in a fit of rage and his partner have been read to a court. | |
According to the texts, Ben Butler's partner Jennie Gray was kicked out of their home after having an abortion. | According to the texts, Ben Butler's partner Jennie Gray was kicked out of their home after having an abortion. |
Mr Butler had allegedly said it was "irresponsible and shocking" that she was pregnant. | Mr Butler had allegedly said it was "irresponsible and shocking" that she was pregnant. |
The 36-year-old denies murdering Ellie Butler in October 2013 at their home in Sutton, south west London. | The 36-year-old denies murdering Ellie Butler in October 2013 at their home in Sutton, south west London. |
On 16 January, Mr Butler expressed his "disgust" that Miss Gray was pregnant, and told her he had "had enough of ur weight and looks and the trouble you bring (sic)". | |
Days later, she complained at his lack of support and he responded with abusive language, adding: "Don't text me going to explode." | |
In March the messages suggested he had attacked Miss Gray, locking her out of their home while she was bleeding badly from an abortion, the Old Bailey heard. | In March the messages suggested he had attacked Miss Gray, locking her out of their home while she was bleeding badly from an abortion, the Old Bailey heard. |
The next day, as she was going to hospital, he pleaded for her to to talk to him but added it was "partly your fault". | The next day, as she was going to hospital, he pleaded for her to to talk to him but added it was "partly your fault". |
The court heard she later replied: "I am bleeding and ignoring it and pain. All for U, pretending u didn't make me kill a baby u didn't want." | The court heard she later replied: "I am bleeding and ignoring it and pain. All for U, pretending u didn't make me kill a baby u didn't want." |
However, in the wake of Ellie's death, Ms Gray, also 36, dismissed the texts, telling police they were "not nice" but it was "how he articulates himself". | However, in the wake of Ellie's death, Ms Gray, also 36, dismissed the texts, telling police they were "not nice" but it was "how he articulates himself". |
In a prepared statement she said: "I have not suffered violence from Ben Butler and am certainly not afraid of him, do not feel threatened or controlled by him." | In a prepared statement she said: "I have not suffered violence from Ben Butler and am certainly not afraid of him, do not feel threatened or controlled by him." |
Jurors were also told Mr Butler had been convicted for twice assaulting his ex-girlfriend Hannah Hillman. | Jurors were also told Mr Butler had been convicted for twice assaulting his ex-girlfriend Hannah Hillman. |
He had also previously pleaded guilty to battery after punching a man in a Wimbledon kebab shop who he thought had "touched up" Ms Gray, the court heard. | He had also previously pleaded guilty to battery after punching a man in a Wimbledon kebab shop who he thought had "touched up" Ms Gray, the court heard. |
The case continues. | The case continues. |
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