Shotton murder trial: Russell Marsh admits killing estranged wife

Jade Marsh, also known as Jade Ward, was found dead at her home last August

A man accused of the murder of his estranged wife has admitted killing her.

Russell Marsh denies the murder of Jade Marsh, also known as Jade Ward, in Shotton, Flintshire, last August.

Mold Crown Court heard he accepted he had killed her but had not intended to.

The jury has previously been told he was jealous and stabbed and strangled her while her four children slept. She had ended the relationship a week before she was found dead.

His barrister, Christopher Tehrani QC, asked him: "Do you accept that in the early hours of 26 August 2021 you killed Jade Marsh?"

Mr Marsh said: "Yes."

Russell Marsh said his four young sons did not yet know he had killed their mother

He was asked: "Do you accept that you killed her for an unlawful reason?"

He replied: "Yes."

But when asked if he intended to kill her, he said: "No".

Asked if he accepted that made him guilty of manslaughter, he said: "Yes."

After their final split Mr Marsh told the court he went to to Ms Marsh's house in the hours before her death.

He said she picked up a knife as he was leaving and there was struggle. She was injured and verbally abused him.

He described hearing white noise, like static, and feeling a need to stop her talking.

The court heard he grabbed her around the neck and the next thing he knew she was dead.

'I've never been violent towards Jade'

Describing the lead-up to his estranged wife's death, Mr Marsh told the court he had been off work for seven months and on medication for anxiety and depression in 2017.

He said his wife had admitted being unfaithful "several times" during what was a "stressful period" in 2019 as they looked after four children and were about £30,000 in debt because of house renovations and their wedding.

Asked about bruises on his wife's arm, which she had told a friend were caused by him in August 2019, he said: "I've never been violent towards Jade."

Mr Marsh also denied shoving her when she was at the top of the stairs.

He told the jury about his feelings over Jade's death, saying: "I'm devastated for the family - the boys and Jade's family."

He said his four young sons did not yet know that he killed their mother at the house in Chevrons Close.

The trial continues.