A jury heard that a lady, 31, “threw” a huge kitchen knife at her lover, who had previously called her a “nutter but the sex is extremely wonderful” in front of friends.
Hayley Keating is accused of stabbing her three-year-old partner Matthew Wormleighton, 45, at their Chilthorne Domer, Somerset, home. Yeovil is nearby.
At their house in May of last year, an incident fueled by alcohol and narcotics resulted in Mr. Wormleighton’s death when the knife went four inches into his chest.
According to testimony given to the jury, the couple first met in 2018 and Mr. Wormleighton told friends that she was a “nutter” but that they had really amazing sex.
The Bristol Crown Court was informed by the prosecutor, Miss Jo Martin, QC, that she had slain her partner with a kitchen knife.
There was only one wound on his chest, she remarked. She pierced his chest with a 10-centimeter deep cut with a huge kitchen knife.
Following the incident, Keating immediately called the emergency services and reported being stabbed by her.
As Keating now claims, however, “she threw the knife in his direction, she does not know how he became injured, and she cannot recall what happened,” Miss Martin responded, “that may not be correct.”
Now that the knife has penetrated the father-of-chest two’s to a depth of 10 cm, the jury must decide whether the defendant flung the weapon or had it in her hand as she stabbed the victim, said Miss Martin.
Keating was “angry and agitated” at the time of the incident because Mr. Wormleighton was “trying to leave her,” the court heard.
The mother of two alleges that Mr. Wormleighton assaulted her both previously and on the disputed night, which “freightened her.”
The victim, who the prosecution claims may have a mental disorder that results in an inability to retain self control, was coercive and controlling toward Keating, according to the testimony given to the jury.
Both of the women with whom Mr. Wormleighton had intimate relationships in the past described him as “caring, kind, and a loveable rogue” rather than violent or domineering.
Although “over the top” in her behavior, Keating was characterized as “funny, charming, and kind.” Both of them took cocaine and alcohol, and they both struggled with depression.
Keating continues to deny murder while her trial goes on.