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Hammer accused's 'steamy texts' Hammer accused's 'steamy texts'
(10 minutes later)
A council worker sent "pretty steamy texts" to his girlfriend hours before he tried to kill his pregnant partner and unborn child a court has heard.A council worker sent "pretty steamy texts" to his girlfriend hours before he tried to kill his pregnant partner and unborn child a court has heard.
Simon Morris, 36, from Prestatyn, Denbighshire, denies trying to kill Nerys Price, 35, claiming they were attacked by intruders.Simon Morris, 36, from Prestatyn, Denbighshire, denies trying to kill Nerys Price, 35, claiming they were attacked by intruders.
The jury heard he knew Ms Price had been struck twice, something only the attacker could have known.The jury heard he knew Ms Price had been struck twice, something only the attacker could have known.
Mold Crown Court heard he had sent texts to girlfriend Kate Christian.Mold Crown Court heard he had sent texts to girlfriend Kate Christian.
The jury heard on Monday how Mr Morris talked about four poster beds and water beds during a text conversation with Ms Christian, hours before the attack on Ms Price in August 2008.The jury heard on Monday how Mr Morris talked about four poster beds and water beds during a text conversation with Ms Christian, hours before the attack on Ms Price in August 2008.
She replied that she would not be able to wear suspenders and stiletto heels in it, the court heard.She replied that she would not be able to wear suspenders and stiletto heels in it, the court heard.
Patrick Harrington QC, prosecuting, said Mr Morris' texts contained more than 30 kisses on them, showing Ms Christian was his priority, not his pregnant partner. If I had caught them, I would not be here now and the police would have the right person Simon Morris
Nerys Price has since had a baby daughter Patrick Harrington QC, prosecuting, said Mr Morris's texts contained more than 30 kisses on them, showing Ms Christian was his priority, not his pregnant partner.
Days before, he had sent a message saying: "Has anyone told you how gorgeous, sexy, beautiful, stunning, attractive, foxy, lovely, lush, exquisite, perfect, angelic, radiant and special you are?"Days before, he had sent a message saying: "Has anyone told you how gorgeous, sexy, beautiful, stunning, attractive, foxy, lovely, lush, exquisite, perfect, angelic, radiant and special you are?"
The prosecution allege Mr Morris, a highways officer with Denbighshire Council, wanted Ms Price dead so he could inherit hundreds of thousands of pounds in insurance and start a new life with Ms Christian.The prosecution allege Mr Morris, a highways officer with Denbighshire Council, wanted Ms Price dead so he could inherit hundreds of thousands of pounds in insurance and start a new life with Ms Christian.
Mr Harrington told Mr Morris: "You had to get rid of Nerys first - that was central to your plan." The court has heard the couple changed their wills weeks before the attack, and he was the sole beneficiary of her estate.
Mr Morris said: "There were no plans and no reason for me to make money at all." Mr Harrington said: "You decided that the best way to sort out your future, become rich and get rid of Nerys, was to kill her.
Nerys Price has since had a baby daughter
Mr Morris replied: "Not in any way at all. I am still offended that I am being accused of it."
Mr Harrington said: "What you did was to set it up, get your financial arrangements in place so that when you killed her, you would scoop the jackpot."
Mr Morris said: "Not at all. There was no need for anything like that. It's ridiculous."
He admitted going for a walk along a river with Ms Christian the afternoon before the attack, but denied it was romantic.He admitted going for a walk along a river with Ms Christian the afternoon before the attack, but denied it was romantic.
However, he agreed he had strong feelings for Ms Christian, adding: "I won't deny that. I am not proud of seeing someone else while living with Nerys while she is pregnant.However, he agreed he had strong feelings for Ms Christian, adding: "I won't deny that. I am not proud of seeing someone else while living with Nerys while she is pregnant.
"I cannot explain that. But those feelings did not detract from my care for Nerys.""I cannot explain that. But those feelings did not detract from my care for Nerys."
The jury has already heard evidence that Ms Price awoke from the attack and Mr Morris told her she had been hit twice on the head.The jury has already heard evidence that Ms Price awoke from the attack and Mr Morris told her she had been hit twice on the head.
Mr Harrington, who described Mr Morris as "an accomplished liar," said: "You knew that she had been hit twice because you were the one who hit her."Mr Harrington, who described Mr Morris as "an accomplished liar," said: "You knew that she had been hit twice because you were the one who hit her."
The hammer was found in a spare room at the house
Mr Morris said that was not true, adding that he may have said that at a later stage, after examining her injuries.Mr Morris said that was not true, adding that he may have said that at a later stage, after examining her injuries.
Mr Morris said he saw a "silhouette or someone leaving the bedroom" immediately after the attack.
Mr Harrington questioned the defendant - who is 6ft 6in tall and weighed more than 18 stone at the time of the attack - about his reaction.
He asked: "A man with any bottle would have chased him wouldn't he?"
Mr Morris said: "That has haunted me ever since these events.
"I cannot explain my actions.
"If I had caught them, I would not be here now and the police would have the right person."
Earlier, Nicholas Johnson QC, Mr Morris' barrister, asked him: "Did you try to kill Nerys Price and your unborn daughter?"
"No, absolutely not," he answered.
Ms Price suffered two skull fractures and needed surgery, from which she later recovered.Ms Price suffered two skull fractures and needed surgery, from which she later recovered.
Her daughter Freya was born by emergency Caesarean section.Her daughter Freya was born by emergency Caesarean section.
Mr Morris denies attempted murder and the attempted destruction of an unborn child.Mr Morris denies attempted murder and the attempted destruction of an unborn child.