Jury sent out to consider murder verdict

A post-mortem found Tara Kershaw died from compression of the neck

Jurors have gone out to consider verdicts in the case of a man accused of killing his partner.

Adam Barnard denies murder and the manslaughter of mother-of-two Tara Kershaw, 33, at their home in Princes Road in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, on 19 January 2024.

The 41-year-old previously told Norwich Crown Court he "pinned her down with his arms across his chest", and the next thing he knew, his "hands were round her neck".

He alleged he was attempting to defend himself after he claimed he woke up in bed to find her beating him and hitting him on the head with a lamp.

Jurors were told that Mr Barnard had got into the bed having been out with a friend to get money to buy strong cider and crack cocaine.

The court was told he "came-to" after a seizure and found his arm on her throat when he had been sleeping off a drink and drugs binge.

Adam Barnard handed himself into the local police station the following day Ms Kershaw died

A post-mortem found the mother-of-two's death was consistent with compression to the neck, and there was evidence of other neck injuries from the weeks before.

The jury heard that Mr Barnard had met Ms Kershaw in a Karaoke bar in June 2023 and said the pair had got engaged a few months later.

He said that both of them had issues with alcohol and claimed Ms Kershaw's "nasty side" came out when she drank.

The court heard Mr Barnard was arrested the day before Ms Kershaw died, as she alleged he had been violent towards her, resulting in a split lip.

He said the engagement was called off that day and he had "asked for the ring back" and denied any violence towards Miss Kershaw.

Mr Barnard turned himself into police the day after Ms Kershaw died at home on 19 January.

The jury is still considering their verdict.