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Andrew Griggs murder trial: Wife 'suffered post-natal depression' | Andrew Griggs murder trial: Wife 'suffered post-natal depression' |
(32 minutes later) | |
A man accused of murdering his wife 20 years ago has told a jury that she had repeatedly threatened to walk out on their children and kill herself. | A man accused of murdering his wife 20 years ago has told a jury that she had repeatedly threatened to walk out on their children and kill herself. |
Andrew Griggs denies killing Debbie Griggs, who disappeared from their home in Deal, Kent, in May 1999. | Andrew Griggs denies killing Debbie Griggs, who disappeared from their home in Deal, Kent, in May 1999. |
Mr Griggs, 57, told Canterbury Crown Court that his wife experienced post-natal depression and "dark moods" after the birth of their three sons. | Mr Griggs, 57, told Canterbury Crown Court that his wife experienced post-natal depression and "dark moods" after the birth of their three sons. |
He was accused of "trying to blacken" Mrs Griggs's name by the prosecution. | He was accused of "trying to blacken" Mrs Griggs's name by the prosecution. |
The court heard how the 34-year-old - whose body has never been found - became "withdrawn, quiet and very down on herself" after giving birth. | The court heard how the 34-year-old - whose body has never been found - became "withdrawn, quiet and very down on herself" after giving birth. |
Mr Griggs said: "Her whole personality had changed. She had no patience. She was very angry at times with the children. | Mr Griggs said: "Her whole personality had changed. She had no patience. She was very angry at times with the children. |
"It was very stressful for both of us. She was angry with me." | "It was very stressful for both of us. She was angry with me." |
She had repeatedly threatened to walk out and on more than one occasion had told their children "I might as well go and kill myself," he said. | She had repeatedly threatened to walk out and on more than one occasion had told their children "I might as well go and kill myself," he said. |
He said his wife had been "slightly heavy handed" with their three sons, adding: "She was very aggressive with them if they were naughty." | He said his wife had been "slightly heavy handed" with their three sons, adding: "She was very aggressive with them if they were naughty." |
He did not follow her strict approach to discipline because he is "a bit of a softie," he said. | He did not follow her strict approach to discipline because he is "a bit of a softie," he said. |
Mr Griggs, of St Leonards, in Dorset, told the jury he had never hit or threatened his wife. | Mr Griggs, of St Leonards, in Dorset, told the jury he had never hit or threatened his wife. |
'Gearing up legally' | 'Gearing up legally' |
The couple had separated in March 1999 and Mr Griggs moved out of the family home, the court heard. | The couple had separated in March 1999 and Mr Griggs moved out of the family home, the court heard. |
He had been "gearing up legally" to file for divorce, but stopped proceedings when the couple reconciled, jurors were told. | He had been "gearing up legally" to file for divorce, but stopped proceedings when the couple reconciled, jurors were told. |
Asked why he did not pursue a divorce, Mr Griggs said: "I didn't want to, because I still loved Debbie and the children and I just didn't want to lose her." | Asked why he did not pursue a divorce, Mr Griggs said: "I didn't want to, because I still loved Debbie and the children and I just didn't want to lose her." |
But Duncan Atkinson QC, prosecuting, accused Mr Griggs of "seeking to blacken Debbie's name". | But Duncan Atkinson QC, prosecuting, accused Mr Griggs of "seeking to blacken Debbie's name". |
When interviewed by police the defendant had claimed his wife went "walkabout" in the middle of night between 30 and 40 times, the court heard. | When interviewed by police the defendant had claimed his wife went "walkabout" in the middle of night between 30 and 40 times, the court heard. |
Mr Atkinson said the accused had not mentioned this before she went missing. | |
"You were seeking to create an impression after she had gone that this was something she did a lot," the barrister said. | "You were seeking to create an impression after she had gone that this was something she did a lot," the barrister said. |
"No I was not," Mr Griggs replied. | "No I was not," Mr Griggs replied. |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |
Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk. |