This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-21519034

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Eystna Blunnie murder case: Tony McLernon 'beat' pregnant ex-girlfriend Eystna Blunnie murder case: Tony McLernon 'beat' pregnant ex-girlfriend
(35 minutes later)
A heavily-pregnant woman was lured to her death in a "brutal" attack by her ex-boyfriend, a court has heard. A heavily-pregnant woman was lured to a "brutal" death by her ex-boyfriend, a court has heard.
Eystna Blunnie, 20, was found with fatal head injuries near her home in Howard Way, Harlow, Essex, on 27 June.Eystna Blunnie, 20, was found with fatal head injuries near her home in Howard Way, Harlow, Essex, on 27 June.
Chelmsford Crown Court heard she had been in an abusive relationship with 24-year-old Tony McLernon.Chelmsford Crown Court heard she had been in an abusive relationship with 24-year-old Tony McLernon.
Mr McLernon, of North Grove, Harlow, denies murdering Ms Blunnie and a charge of child destruction by wilfully causing the death of an unborn child. Ms Blunnie agreed to meet Mr McLernon after he sent her a text telling her he had a "surprise" for her, the court heard. He denies murder.
Ms Blunnie agreed to meet Mr McLernon on a street in Harlow after receiving a text saying he had got a "surprise" for her, the court heard. Mr McLernon, of North Grove, Harlow, also denies a charge of child destruction by wilfully causing the death of an unborn child.
She had initially been reluctant to meet him but he convinced her with "self-pitying messages designed to gain sympathy from Eystna...", prosecutor Andrew Jackson told the court. Ms Blunnie had initially been reluctant to see him but he convinced her to meet him in the early hours with "self-pitying messages designed to gain sympathy", prosecutor Andrew Jackson told the court.
"I'm scared" Unemployed Mr McLernon, who had been drinking and using cannabis, forced Ms Blunnie to the ground and repeatedly kicked and stamped on her, the court heard.
Fuelled by alcohol and cannabis, unemployed Mr McLernon forced Ms Blunnie to the ground in the early hours and repeatedly kicked and stamped on her, the court heard.
Mr Jackson told jurors: "It was an act of brutal, sustained and wholly unprovoked violence."Mr Jackson told jurors: "It was an act of brutal, sustained and wholly unprovoked violence."
'Violent crisis'
Mr McLernon "knew he was not only killing her but their unborn child as well," he added.Mr McLernon "knew he was not only killing her but their unborn child as well," he added.
The court was told residents living near the scene of the alleged attack heard her "horrific" screams and the impact of the blows. The court was told residents living near the scene of the attack heard her "horrific" screams and the impact of the blows.
Ms Blunnie, who was due to give birth within days, was later found with severe head and facial injuries and died in hospital. Ms Blunnie, who had been due to give birth within days, was found with severe head and facial injuries. She died in hospital.
Mr McLernon later spoke to his father on the phone and told him "I think I've killed Eystna", the court heard. Mr McLernon spoke to his father on the phone and told him "I think I've killed Eystna", the court heard.
"Horrific" screams
The couple, who met in 2010, had been together since April 2011 and got engaged three months later.The couple, who met in 2010, had been together since April 2011 and got engaged three months later.
In October, Ms Blunnie told Mr McLernon she was pregnant with his child. They broke up the following year after Ms Blunnie, a catering student and barmaid, made complaints to police that he had been abusing her.In October, Ms Blunnie told Mr McLernon she was pregnant with his child. They broke up the following year after Ms Blunnie, a catering student and barmaid, made complaints to police that he had been abusing her.
Mr Jackson told jurors the couple's relationship was "marked by controlling, bullying and violent behaviour" and ended having reached "a considerable and violent crisis".Mr Jackson told jurors the couple's relationship was "marked by controlling, bullying and violent behaviour" and ended having reached "a considerable and violent crisis".
The court heard that Mr McLernon had a history of abusive relationships. The court heard Mr McLernon had a history of abusive relationships.
The trial, expected to last up to four weeks, continues.The trial, expected to last up to four weeks, continues.