Murder accused killed man after affair, trial told

The emergency services were called just before 21:00 BST on 8 October

A man stabbed another man to death in a front garden following a dispute over a romantic affair, a court heard.

Richard Hunt, 37, suffered stab wounds to the heart and lung at the Sutton Heath estate near Woodbridge, Suffolk, on 8 October.

Ipswich Crown Court heard he was armed with a baseball bat and had driven Stephanie Harvey to the home of Jay Cotterill, who she had been having an affair with.

Mr Cotterill, of Ipswich Avenue, Sutton Heath, is on trial accused of murder.

Mr Hunt banged on the defendant's windows with the bat before the fight, jurors were told

On the first day of the trial, jurors were told that Mr Cotterill's partner discovered on 7 October that he and Ms Harvey had been exchanging messages.

Ms Harvey wanted to buy a "good luck card" wishing the couple well with their relationship and she asked Mr Hunt, one of her ex-partners, for a lift - the trial heard.

The prosecution said the two women had "traded insults" on the phone.

Mr Hunt armed himself with a baseball bat when he drove Ms Harvey to the home shortly before 21:00 BST.

The victim “banged on the windows” with the bat, the prosecution said, before Mr Cotterill came out into the garden.

A fight broke out and Mr Hunt suffered multiple fatal wounds.

Prosecutor Andrew Jackson said: "When Mr Hunt’s body was later examined that exam showed that his killer had inflicted seven stab wounds to him, predominantly to his neck and chest."

The trial continues.