Husband accused of murder claims he was attacked

Giuseppe Morreale and Maria Ricotta died after suffering stab wounds at their home in the village of Ugley

A man accused of murdering his wife and stepson told police he was defending himself after being attacked, a trial heard.

Maria Ricotta, 54, and her 29-year-old son Giuseppe Morreale, were stabbed to death at the family home in Ugley, Essex, on 28 May.

Calogero Ricotta told police: "Giuseppe stormed in and was carrying a knife... He was very angry and kept on lunging".

The 64-year-old is on trial at Chelmsford Crown Court and denies murder.

The defendant also denies causing actual bodily harm to a youth who was present in the house, known as Woodlands, located near Stansted Airport.

Mr Ricotta said he believed it was Mr Morreale who accidentally stabbed Mrs Ricotta during the altercation.

Mr and Mrs Ricotta were debating getting a divorce prior to the incident in May 2024, the court heard

A transcript of the police interview was read to jurors, in which Mr Ricotta claimed to have used his wife as a human shield.

Mrs Ricotta - whose maiden name was Nugara - had returned from seeing a friend only a few minutes earlier that evening.

Her husband claimed they got into a "heated" argument in the living room about their dogs barking, an issue that had previously caused tension.

"Maria immediately got upset and said if I was upset I should leave," Mr Ricotta told police.

The defendant alleged they began swearing at each other before Mrs Ricotta called out to Mr Morreale, who then entered the room and shouted: "If you touch my mum I will kill you."

Mr Ricotta continued: "On saying this, he lunged at me with a knife.

"He kept on lunging at me and I believe it is at this point that he has struck Maria with the knife.

"I was in complete fear of the actions of Giuseppe.

"I pulled at [the knife] with all my strength. Maria fell to the ground and I was struggling with Giuseppe.

"I was in a state of panic and was struggling for what I thought was my life. There was blood everywhere."

A pathologist's report revealed Mrs Ricotta suffered 14 stab wounds and 44 further cuts.

Calogero Ricotta is on trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, where he denies murder

Prosecutor Simon Spence KC has already claimed Mr Ricotta murdered his wife because she wanted to divorce him and that Mr Morreale was trying to defend his mother.

Mr Ricotta had allegedly told his wife "dead or alive, you're not leaving this marriage".

He denied saying this when interviewed by police and urged officers to check his phone for proof.

However, Mr Ricotta added: "It is right that my wife and I had discussed divorce and solicitors were instructed on both sides."

The trial continues.