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Murder trial told of bondage find | Murder trial told of bondage find |
(10 minutes later) | |
A woman who killed her lover's wife previously threatened her own husband with a knife when he discovered her bondage gear, a trial has been told. | A woman who killed her lover's wife previously threatened her own husband with a knife when he discovered her bondage gear, a trial has been told. |
Rebecca Harris, 30, from Morriston, Swansea, who was in a sado-masochistic relationship with Stephen Marsh, has admitted killing Jaspal Marsh, 37. | Rebecca Harris, 30, from Morriston, Swansea, who was in a sado-masochistic relationship with Stephen Marsh, has admitted killing Jaspal Marsh, 37. |
She claims she had been persuaded to by Mr Marsh, 36, who denies murder. | She claims she had been persuaded to by Mr Marsh, 36, who denies murder. |
Harris admitted threatening her husband Ron, 69, but disputed that it was when he found her "whiplash collection". | Harris admitted threatening her husband Ron, 69, but disputed that it was when he found her "whiplash collection". |
Gerard Elias QC, defending Mr Marsh, told Swansea Crown Court that Mr Harris had discovered a bag containing a rubber bra, leather bracelets with metal studs, black corsets and thongs and high-heeled shoes. | Gerard Elias QC, defending Mr Marsh, told Swansea Crown Court that Mr Harris had discovered a bag containing a rubber bra, leather bracelets with metal studs, black corsets and thongs and high-heeled shoes. |
Harris, who was giving evidence for a third day, admitted they belonged to her but said they were available in many high street stores. | Harris, who was giving evidence for a third day, admitted they belonged to her but said they were available in many high street stores. |
On this night, you took it into your own hands to kill Jaspal Marsh to clear the field Gerard Elias QC, to Harris | On this night, you took it into your own hands to kill Jaspal Marsh to clear the field Gerard Elias QC, to Harris |
Under cross examination, she conceded that she had threatened her husband with a knife. | Under cross examination, she conceded that she had threatened her husband with a knife. |
She claims it was because he was abusive and threatening towards her. | She claims it was because he was abusive and threatening towards her. |
Earlier on Thursday, she told the court she was "in fear of her life" when she carried out the attack on Jaspal Marsh. | Earlier on Thursday, she told the court she was "in fear of her life" when she carried out the attack on Jaspal Marsh. |
Harris claims Mr Marsh was controlling her and had threatened to kill her unless she went through with the murder. | Harris claims Mr Marsh was controlling her and had threatened to kill her unless she went through with the murder. |
Jaspal Marsh died after she was stabbed 16 times in her bedroom | Jaspal Marsh died after she was stabbed 16 times in her bedroom |
The jury was told of a series of text messages sent between the lovers before and after Jaspal Marsh's murder in July 2006. | The jury was told of a series of text messages sent between the lovers before and after Jaspal Marsh's murder in July 2006. |
Mr Elias said it was not uncommon for them to send 50 to 60 messages to each other on any given day. | Mr Elias said it was not uncommon for them to send 50 to 60 messages to each other on any given day. |
He said Harris' claims that the messages on 29 July sent to her from Mr Marsh, pleading with her to commit the murder, were lies. | He said Harris' claims that the messages on 29 July sent to her from Mr Marsh, pleading with her to commit the murder, were lies. |
He messed my head up totally - he knew how vunerable I was, he just took advantage and used me Rebecca Harris | |
"At no time did the defendant text you anything that suggested he knew his wife was dead,"he said. | "At no time did the defendant text you anything that suggested he knew his wife was dead,"he said. |
"This was your venture to kill Jaspal Marsh. I don't on his part suggest there had not been jokey conversations of ridding yourselves of your partners. | "This was your venture to kill Jaspal Marsh. I don't on his part suggest there had not been jokey conversations of ridding yourselves of your partners. |
"It had never gone beyond that, we suggest. On this night, you took it into your own hands to kill Jaspal Marsh to clear the field." | "It had never gone beyond that, we suggest. On this night, you took it into your own hands to kill Jaspal Marsh to clear the field." |
Mr Elias claimed that she then drip-fed Mr Marsh details via text messages of what she was doing or planning to do. Harris denied this and said Mr Marsh had planned the murder. | Mr Elias claimed that she then drip-fed Mr Marsh details via text messages of what she was doing or planning to do. Harris denied this and said Mr Marsh had planned the murder. |
The jury has been given a schedule of the timings of the messages from phone records, but the content is disputed, as many were deleted. | The jury has been given a schedule of the timings of the messages from phone records, but the content is disputed, as many were deleted. |
Drip-fed details | |
Harris told the court: "Stephen Marsh was the one who was controlling - he was the one that brainwashed me that night. | |
"He messed my head up totally - he knew how vunerable I was, he just took advantage and used me." | |
Mr Elias produced the knife, in a transparent container, and asked Harris how she had used it. | |
She broke down in tears, but when he asked her to hold it, she sobbed: "No, I can't." | |
He said pictures showed that the knife was left in Mrs Marsh with the blade pointing upwards, towards her head. | |
"Did you struck the final blow, standing above her head?" asked Mr Elias. | |
Stephen Marsh denies arranging the killing of his wife | |
Harris said no, it was while they were struggling on the floor. | |
Mrs Marsh suffered 16 stab wounds with a kitchen knife at her marital home in Gorseinon. | Mrs Marsh suffered 16 stab wounds with a kitchen knife at her marital home in Gorseinon. |
The court has already been told how Harris and Mr Marsh met while working at a directory inquiries call centre in Swansea. | The court has already been told how Harris and Mr Marsh met while working at a directory inquiries call centre in Swansea. |
After starting an affair, Harris claimed she became reluctantly involved in sado-masochistic practices with him. | After starting an affair, Harris claimed she became reluctantly involved in sado-masochistic practices with him. |
Then at some point during their affair, she claimed Mr Marsh had "pestered" her to kill his wife. | Then at some point during their affair, she claimed Mr Marsh had "pestered" her to kill his wife. |
Harris said she agreed to the plan simply to shut him up but claimed that Mr Marsh then went off to establish an alibi on the night of the murder. | Harris said she agreed to the plan simply to shut him up but claimed that Mr Marsh then went off to establish an alibi on the night of the murder. |
Mr Marsh is alleged to have set the murder scene by ensuring his wife left their home unlocked before going to bed. | Mr Marsh is alleged to have set the murder scene by ensuring his wife left their home unlocked before going to bed. |
Harris claimed he sent her text messages from a city pub, one of which read "Do it. Just do it." | Harris claimed he sent her text messages from a city pub, one of which read "Do it. Just do it." |
She described how Mrs Marsh fought furiously to save herself from being attacked with an eight-inch bladed knife. | She described how Mrs Marsh fought furiously to save herself from being attacked with an eight-inch bladed knife. |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |