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Murder accused 'sadistic' claim Murder accused 'sadistic' claim
(about 2 hours later)
A man accused of persuading his lover to murder his wife is a "cunning, manipulative and sadistic" individual, Swansea Crown Court has heard.A man accused of persuading his lover to murder his wife is a "cunning, manipulative and sadistic" individual, Swansea Crown Court has heard.
Stephen Marsh might as well have held the front door open and handed Rebecca Harris a knife when she went to kill his wife, the prosecution claimed in a closing speech to the jury.Stephen Marsh might as well have held the front door open and handed Rebecca Harris a knife when she went to kill his wife, the prosecution claimed in a closing speech to the jury.
Mr Marsh, 36, denies involvement in the murder of his wife at their home.Mr Marsh, 36, denies involvement in the murder of his wife at their home.
Rebecca Harris, 29, has admitted stabbing Jaspal Marsh, 36, to death.Rebecca Harris, 29, has admitted stabbing Jaspal Marsh, 36, to death.
Mr Marsh slept on a couch at an acquaintance's house in Swansea on the night of the murder, last July.Mr Marsh slept on a couch at an acquaintance's house in Swansea on the night of the murder, last July.
Harris, who he had been with earlier, drove to the marital home in Gorseinon and stabbed Jaspal 16 times in the back and chest, the prosecution allege.Harris, who he had been with earlier, drove to the marital home in Gorseinon and stabbed Jaspal 16 times in the back and chest, the prosecution allege.
He has been accustomed to persuading people of what he says - he is manipulative Huw Davies, prosecutingHe has been accustomed to persuading people of what he says - he is manipulative Huw Davies, prosecuting
Making his closing address, prosecuting counsel Huw Davies told the jury that Mr Marsh had hatched an "ambitious plan to commit the worst of all crimes and then by some sleight of hand to be freed".Making his closing address, prosecuting counsel Huw Davies told the jury that Mr Marsh had hatched an "ambitious plan to commit the worst of all crimes and then by some sleight of hand to be freed".
He said that, contrary to Mr Marsh's claims, his marriage was in trouble.He said that, contrary to Mr Marsh's claims, his marriage was in trouble.
Referring to evidence given by some of her work colleagues at the Admiral insurance office, he said it was clear she was unhappy and was considering a divorce.Referring to evidence given by some of her work colleagues at the Admiral insurance office, he said it was clear she was unhappy and was considering a divorce.
He said life might have appeared "blissfully easy" with his wife Jaspal. She took care of him, ironed his clothes, and was the main wage earner while he would drink heavily.He said life might have appeared "blissfully easy" with his wife Jaspal. She took care of him, ironed his clothes, and was the main wage earner while he would drink heavily.
"Rebecca offered him things Jaspal did not," said Mr Davies, speaking of their nine-month affair."Rebecca offered him things Jaspal did not," said Mr Davies, speaking of their nine-month affair.
Jaspal Marsh was stabbed 16 times in her bedroom Jaspal Marsh was stabbed 16 times in her chest and back
Mr Marsh and Harris had developed a sadomasochistic relationship after meeting at the call centre where they both worked.Mr Marsh and Harris had developed a sadomasochistic relationship after meeting at the call centre where they both worked.
Mr Davies said that Mr Marsh was a sadist who enjoyed cutting Harris with a knife.Mr Davies said that Mr Marsh was a sadist who enjoyed cutting Harris with a knife.
"He had been trying for years to find a woman who he could interest in using knives to cut one another up as part of a programme of sexual activity.""He had been trying for years to find a woman who he could interest in using knives to cut one another up as part of a programme of sexual activity."
Turning to Mr Marsh's alibi, Mr Davies said that on the night of the murder he had been "desperate" to find somewhere in Swansea to stay.Turning to Mr Marsh's alibi, Mr Davies said that on the night of the murder he had been "desperate" to find somewhere in Swansea to stay.
Initially, he had planned to meet a former girlfriend but when that fell through arranged to join up with an acquaintance in the Potter's Wheel pub in the city.Initially, he had planned to meet a former girlfriend but when that fell through arranged to join up with an acquaintance in the Potter's Wheel pub in the city.
Poorest excusePoorest excuse
"He made attempt after attempt to find someone to put him up for the night and keep him company through the crucial hours," said Mr Davies."He made attempt after attempt to find someone to put him up for the night and keep him company through the crucial hours," said Mr Davies.
Describing Mr Marsh's claims that he could not remember the content of a series of text messages between himself and Rebecca Harris on the night Jaspal was killed, he said: "It's the poorest excuse in the world".Describing Mr Marsh's claims that he could not remember the content of a series of text messages between himself and Rebecca Harris on the night Jaspal was killed, he said: "It's the poorest excuse in the world".
The jury had previously heard claims from Harris that Mr Marsh had been sending her instructions to kill his wife such as "Do it, just do it".The jury had previously heard claims from Harris that Mr Marsh had been sending her instructions to kill his wife such as "Do it, just do it".
He had also texted his wife Jaspal telling her he would be coming home and to leave the front door open, said Mr Davies.He had also texted his wife Jaspal telling her he would be coming home and to leave the front door open, said Mr Davies.
"He might as well have held the front door open for Rebecca Harris. He might as well have ushered her to the kitchen and handed her the knife," said Mr Davies."He might as well have held the front door open for Rebecca Harris. He might as well have ushered her to the kitchen and handed her the knife," said Mr Davies.
He continued:"Mr Marsh is cunning, but he is not infallible".He continued:"Mr Marsh is cunning, but he is not infallible".
He said that it was during police interview that Mr Marsh's claims that he had no idea Harris planned to kill his wife started to unravel.He said that it was during police interview that Mr Marsh's claims that he had no idea Harris planned to kill his wife started to unravel.
"We submit that Mr Marsh is very fluent, confident of his own ability when it comes to the use of words. He has been accustomed to persuading people of what he says - he is manipulative.""We submit that Mr Marsh is very fluent, confident of his own ability when it comes to the use of words. He has been accustomed to persuading people of what he says - he is manipulative."
The trial continues.The trial continues.