Murder accused was 'trying to save' girlfriend

Mother-of-two Tara Kershaw lived with the defendant in a house of multiple occupancy

A man accused of murdering his girlfriend was actually trying to save her life, his trial has been told.

Adam Barnard, 41, formerly of Princes Road, Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, turned himself into police the day after 33-year-old Tara Kershaw died at home on 19 January.

It was heard at Norwich Crown Court the pair were in a volatile relationship.

Mr Barnard denies both murder and manslaughter, and Judge Alice Robinson recounted for jurors on Friday what he said in his defence.

Mr Barnard handed himself into the local police station the following day

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

Ms Kershaw was already asleep but he claimed he woke up shortly after to her beating him and hitting him in the head with a lamp.

Judge Robinson quoted Mr Barnard: "Tara was very angry; she swung the lamp at my head.

"She was trying to punch and kick me.

"Tara was on her knees on the bed, holding the lamp, shouting and screaming. I pinned her down with my arm across her chest.

"I don't remember anything after that. I'm hanging over the bed. She was lying on the bed with her head in the pillows. I moved my arm and noticed her going limp.

"I didn't intend to kill her or cause her any serious harm, I just wanted to stop the attack."

He said he could not find a pulse and attempted chest compressions, until he either fell asleep or passed out.

Asked why he had not called for an ambulance, Judge Robinson quoted his reply: "I had just taken a life. The police were going to find out. I didn't want to go to prison.

"Lots of thoughts were going through my head.

"Lots of them didn't make sense. I was trying to save her life."

After hearing 13 days of evidence, the jury in the trial of Adam Barnard will be sent out to consider their verdicts on Monday

The pair lived in a house of multiple occupancy and one resident described the property as a "mad house" where drink and drugs were consumed and there was a stream of people entering.

A nurse who called to provide care for another resident the following morning described Mr Barnard looking pale and withdrawn.

Judge Robinson quoted the nurse, saying: "He looked really ill, and like he was worried about something, and I thought perhaps someone in his family had died."

Asked if he was OK, the nurse said he replied: "No I've got bad stuff going on at the moment."

At 09:00 GMT on 20 January, Mr Barnard handed himself in at Great Yarmouth Police Station.

Judge Robinson adjourned the trial until Monday, when she will conclude the summing up and send out the jury to consider its verdicts.