A Burnham-On-Sea man accused of murdering his girlfriend has told a jury this week that she was intent on killing herself.
During his trial at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday (May 24th), Owen Pellow alleged that Lisa Marie Thornton’s use of drink and drugs made it seem like he was dealing with two people.
He claims that she was emotionally and physically abusive to him, and due to social services’ concerns, the child they had together was taken into care. He claimed that she had attempted a drug overdose and he saved her life.
He told the trial of a further time – which was the day of her death – when he says that he discovered Lisa stabbing herself with a blade.
The court heard that Lisa suffered 39 injuries to her chest and neck at Pellow’s flat in Berrow Road in November 2017. Pellow is accused of murdering the 36-year-old.
The court heard that Lisa had been anxious at the end of 2017, given the final confirmation of adoption proceedings regarding their child.
Pellow said on the night of November 22nd they had watched films together and he drank cider.
He recounted how early the next morning he used the downstairs toilet and heard Lisa making noises and thumping when he returned upstairs. He told the court that he saw her thumping at her chest with a knife.
Pellow told the court she had lots of wounds to her chest and two in her neck and was bleeding. He tried to slow her blood loss and he told her that he loved her, and she said she loved him. Pellow says he kissed Lisa and she kissed him back before her breathing stopped.
After she died he says that he had taken photos of her face, wounds, and them holding hands with their matching tattoo wedding bands.
He told the court that, to his knowledge, he hadn’t inflicted injury on her, but said it was clear he must have as she had a wound on her back. The case continues.
