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Eystna Blunnie death: Accused 'obsessed' with Guitar Hero | Eystna Blunnie death: Accused 'obsessed' with Guitar Hero |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A man accused of beating to death his heavily pregnant ex-fiancee and killing their unborn baby has described his addiction to supermarket alcohol and the Guitar Hero computer game. | |
Tony McLernon, 24, told Chelmsford Crown Court he daily drank 20 litres of a cider and sparkling wine mixture. | Tony McLernon, 24, told Chelmsford Crown Court he daily drank 20 litres of a cider and sparkling wine mixture. |
He said he would rarely leave his bedroom and spent hours playing the game on a console. | He said he would rarely leave his bedroom and spent hours playing the game on a console. |
Mr McLernon denies the murder of Eystna Blunnie, 20. | Mr McLernon denies the murder of Eystna Blunnie, 20. |
Mr McLernon, of Harlow, Essex, also denies child destruction. | Mr McLernon, of Harlow, Essex, also denies child destruction. |
The court heard his "obsession" led to tension in his relationship with his alleged victim. | The court heard his "obsession" led to tension in his relationship with his alleged victim. |
"I was very good at the game and was invited to take part in national competitions online," he said. | "I was very good at the game and was invited to take part in national competitions online," he said. |
"But I played it far too much and she began to not like it. | "But I played it far too much and she began to not like it. |
"One night I heard a bang upstairs and went up to find my Guitar Hero guitar had been snapped in half and the only person in the bedroom was Eystna." | "One night I heard a bang upstairs and went up to find my Guitar Hero guitar had been snapped in half and the only person in the bedroom was Eystna." |
Due to give birth | Due to give birth |
Unemployed Mr McLernon said his drinking began at the age of 16 in a park near his home with friends. | Unemployed Mr McLernon said his drinking began at the age of 16 in a park near his home with friends. |
As his alcoholism worsened, he sought out cheaper and stronger drinks. | As his alcoholism worsened, he sought out cheaper and stronger drinks. |
"I would buy two or three litre bottles of strong cider from the supermarket and mix it with Lambrini. We called it rocket fuel." | "I would buy two or three litre bottles of strong cider from the supermarket and mix it with Lambrini. We called it rocket fuel." |
Prosecutor Andrew Jackson said Mr McLernon had lured Miss Blunnie to her death by sending a text message which read: "I've got a surprise for you." | Prosecutor Andrew Jackson said Mr McLernon had lured Miss Blunnie to her death by sending a text message which read: "I've got a surprise for you." |
When she met him in Howard Way near her home in Harlow, he brutally kicked and stamped on her before leaving her fatally injured in a pool of blood, Mr Jackson said. | When she met him in Howard Way near her home in Harlow, he brutally kicked and stamped on her before leaving her fatally injured in a pool of blood, Mr Jackson said. |
Miss Blunnie was due to give birth to a girl within days. | Miss Blunnie was due to give birth to a girl within days. |
Mr McLernon, who said he had suffered from depression and was prone to self-harm, denied claims he had physically abused her and previous partners. | Mr McLernon, who said he had suffered from depression and was prone to self-harm, denied claims he had physically abused her and previous partners. |
He claimed she was prone to aggressive outbursts and would verbally abuse him but he "never raised a hand to her". | He claimed she was prone to aggressive outbursts and would verbally abuse him but he "never raised a hand to her". |
On one occasion she threw a china cup at him and on another she bit his chest, Mr McLernon said. | On one occasion she threw a china cup at him and on another she bit his chest, Mr McLernon said. |
The trial continues | The trial continues |
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