Wife's 'two versions of marriage'

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The wife of a judge who died in a fireball in a garden shed changed her story about the relationship on the night of his death, an inquest heard.

Judge Andrew Chubb, 58, burned to death at his Chard home, less than an hour after telling his partner of 34 years he wanted a divorce.

An inquest in Glastonbury on Tuesday heard that Jennifer Chubb, 60, told neighbours conflicting stories.

One was of an amicable relationship, the other suggested he killed himself.

Speaking at Glastonbury Town Hall, Michael Cross, the first fireman at the scene, said he was told by a police officer Mrs Chubb claimed her husband threatened to kill himself after a row.

But in a statement read out in court, Mrs Chubb told Pc Roger Saunders her relationship with the judge was amicable and he had not threatened to commit suicide.

He was dressed in his normal gardening gear. I told him: 'You can't just cut the grass - we have to talk about this'. Jennifer Chubb

Mrs Chubb went on to tell Pc Saunders how her husband, on the night of his death, had admitted he was having an affair and wanted a divorce.

Soon afterwards he left the house to tend to the garden, Mrs Chubb said.

Mrs Chubb, who has moved to Australia and will not attend the inquest, told Pc Saunders: "I went out to speak to Andrew but he was not there.

"I opened the garage door and I saw him there leaning over the lawnmower.

"He was dressed in his normal gardening gear. I told him: 'You can't just cut the grass - we have to talk about this'.

"Shortly after I sat down there was a massive explosion."

Mrs Chubb said she called emergency services before running out of the house, screaming for help from a neighbour.

Pc Saunders said Mrs Chubb was "emotional, distressed and tearful" after the judge's remains were eventually discovered in the shed.

The hearing continues.