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Murder accused spun 'web of lies' Sex secrets 'led husband to kill'
(about 2 hours later)
A spiritualist minister murdered his wife, who was an award winning make-up artist, after she found out he had been cheating on her, a court heard. A spiritualist minister murdered his make-up artist wife after she found out he had been cheating on her, a court has been told.
David Chenery-Wickens, 51, from Duddleswell, East Sussex, denies murdering his 48-year-old wife, who he reported missing on 24 January 2008.David Chenery-Wickens, 51, from Duddleswell, East Sussex, denies murdering his 48-year-old wife, who he reported missing on 24 January 2008.
Lewes Crown Court was told he had the "clearest motive" to kill his wife and dump her body 15 miles from their home. Lewes Crown Court heard he killed Diane Chenery-Wickens after she confronted him over calls to a gay chatline.
Her remains were found by a dog walker in woodland near Uckfield, on 15 May.Her remains were found by a dog walker in woodland near Uckfield, on 15 May.
The court heard he told Mrs Chenery-Wickens and other people a web of lies about aspects of his life for years.The court heard he told Mrs Chenery-Wickens and other people a web of lies about aspects of his life for years.
'Clearly murder' The Crown says that it was the exposure of the defendant's various deceits, both sexual and financial, which led to her death Philip Katz
He is accused of murdering his wife on 22 January after she confronted him about his female lovers and calls to a gay chatline. He is accused of murdering his wife on 22 January after she discovered his female lovers.
Philip Katz QC, prosecuting, said: "The veil was lifting from Diane's eyes and he had the clearest motive and the obvious opportunity to get rid of his wife.Philip Katz QC, prosecuting, said: "The veil was lifting from Diane's eyes and he had the clearest motive and the obvious opportunity to get rid of his wife.
"We say that he was solely concerned with himself.""We say that he was solely concerned with himself."
He said Mr Chenery-Wickens had "significant but not insurmountable debts" and that he owed money to people, mainly women".
Mr Katz added: "We say that he was stringing her along, making her believe that he was earning money."
Jurors were told he then made it appear to police and her family that his wife had just disappeared of her own accord.Jurors were told he then made it appear to police and her family that his wife had just disappeared of her own accord.
Mr Katz said they were unable to say how and when she was killed, but added: "It's clearly murder. The evidence points to it having happened on the evening of January 22, 2008." 'Clearly murder'
Mr Katz said they were unable to say how and when she was killed, but added: "It's clearly murder. The evidence points to it having happened on the evening of 22 January, 2008."
He said Mr Chenery-Wickens told officers his wife disappeared in London after they travelled up from East Grinstead station, but when CCTV footage showed he made the trip alone he changed his story.
Mr Chenery-Wickens then claimed they parted at the railway station and she told him she was going to disappear.
Mr Katz said: "Chenery-Wickens said that he had sworn on oath to Diane as a spiritualist minister that he would keep this disappearance of hers a secret and he said he felt obliged to keep that promise.
"He tried to tell the police that it was Diane rather than himself who couldn't deal with the truth."
He added: "The Crown says that it was the exposure of the defendant's various deceits, both sexual and financial, which led to her death."
Sex fantasy
The court was also told that during police interviews he said he had unfulfilled fantasies of having sex with his mistress and another man.
The jury was told they would hear from a man who had travelled from Eastbourne to meet Mr Chenery-Wickens after contacting him through a gay chatline, three days after he is accused of murdering his wife.
Mrs Chenery-Wickens worked on shows including Dead Ringers, the League of Gentlemen and Casualty.Mrs Chenery-Wickens worked on shows including Dead Ringers, the League of Gentlemen and Casualty.
She won an Emmy award in 2000 for her work on Arabian Nights.She won an Emmy award in 2000 for her work on Arabian Nights.
Mr Katz described Mr Chenery-Wickens as a spiritual minister. Mr Chenery-Wickens is charged with murdering his wife between 21 and 25 January 2008.
He is charged with murdering his wife between 21 and 25 January 2008.
The trial continues.The trial continues.