Swindon stab murder accused 'unaware of sister's knife'

Alison Connolly head-butted Charice Gassmann moments before the stabbing, the trial has heard

A woman accused of murdering a mother-of-eight has told a court she did not know her sister had a knife.

Alison Connolly, 49, of Swindon, was fatally stabbed during a fracas in May.

Amberstasia Gassmann, 23, began sobbing in Bristol Crown Court after describing to the jury her shock at being charged with murder, which she denies.

Her 19-year-old sister Charice, who is accused of holding the knife, has admitted manslaughter but denies murder.

'Scared for her'

Under questioning from her defence lawyer, Amberstasia was asked if she was aware Charice had a knife, to which she replied: "No I didn't know."

She was also asked about her state of mind towards her sister and mentioning the knife to the police.

"I didn't mention it because I was scared for her," she told the court, before crying again.

Ms Connolly was struck with a single blow to her chest following a possible disagreement over a moped belonging to her daughter's boyfriend, the trial was previously told.

Six months before the attack Charice told a psychiatrist she felt she could kill, and described herself as having three personalities, the jury heard.

She said she had been head-butted by Ms Connolly moments before the stabbing.

Amberstasia told the court she was unaware her sister had been head-butted, by whom or that she was heading out to confront someone.

She denied any knowledge it was a "revenge attack" or that she wanted to support, join in or help her.

The trial continues.