Murder accused 'pinned' partner after attack, court told

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

A man who is accused of killing his partner has told a court he was trying to stop her from attacking him with a lamp.

Adam Barnard, 41, of Princes Road, denies murdering Tara Kershaw in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, in January 2024.

Mr Barnard 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".

The court heard how the day before Tara had died she had called the police to report Mr Barnard had been violent towards her. The trial continues.

'Swinging the lamp'

Mr Barnard told the court that he had been taking class A drugs and drinking on the night Ms Kershaw died.

He said he "stumbled around" the bed where Ms Kershaw was asleep, and he got in on the side that he had slept in previously and went to sleep.

"The next thing I knew was the smack around the head," he told the court.

Mr Barnard said Ms Kershaw was "swinging the lamp" at his head and trying to "punch and kick him".

He told the court he had "pinned her down with my arms across her chest".

"The next thing I know, my hands are on her neck. I don't remember anything after that," Mr Barnard said.

Adam Barnard has denied murder and manslaughter

Mr Barnard added that he 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.

He also told the court her split lip was as a result of her "shaving".

Police were called to Princes Road at about 09:10 GMT on 20 January and discovered the body of Tara Kershaw

When asked why she would call the police and claim he was violent towards her, Mr Barnard said it was "probably because I wasn't giving her attention".

Mr Barnard, of Princes Road, Great Yarmouth, has denied murder and manslaughter. The trial continues.