Lover told 'monumental lies' - QC

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A woman who stabbed her lover's wife to death had done everything possible to "falsely implicate" him in the murder, a court has heard.

Rebecca Harris, by "lying" that Stephen Marsh had planned his wife's death, believed she would receive a lesser sentence, his defence barrister said.

Harris, 30, from Morriston, Swansea, has admitted killing Jaspal Marsh in Gorseinon last July.

Mr Marsh, 36, denies murder at the Swansea Crown Court trial.

Harris had previously told the court that on the night of 29 July 2006 she was under the "control" of Mr Marsh, with whom she had been having a nine-month affair.

She claimed that she had discussed killing his wife Jaspal with him and as she drove to his home on the night of the murder, he had sent a series of text messages urging her on.

But in his closing address to the jury, Gerard Elias QC, defending, said: "Her mission in this court has been to blacken the defendant in every conceivable way.

"When she gave her evidence to you, she modified her answers to suit her latest theory and latest story.

Harris has admitted killing Jaspal Marsh

"We don't pretend to have the answers why Rebecca Harris has told such monumental lies.

"She's a lady capable of the most extreme violence.

"She has not yet been sentenced for the crime she has been committed - she has a motive to go on lying - she may think by doing so she will get a lesser sentence."

Speaking of Mr Marsh's character, Mr Elias said: "You probably don't like Stephen Marsh. [He] may be to you and perhaps any human being an unattractive, serial womaniser."

Innocent

But he said all prejudice must be put aside.

"Give a dog a bad name and you can interpret almost anything against him."

Mr Elias said when considering the evidence they must approach the case from the belief that Mr Marsh was innocent.

"This defendant is not guilty unless the evidence drives you with certainty to that conclusion."

Mrs Marsh suffered 16 deep stab wounds with a kitchen knife to her chest and back in the bedroom of her home.

Harris and Mr Marsh met while working at a directory inquiries call centre in Swansea.

The judge will begin his summing up in the trial on Thursday.