Bridgend: Wife begged ex-councillor to end stab attack - court
- Published
Darren Brown is standing trial charged with the attempted murder of his wife Corrine
A former town councillor asked his wife "why do you push me this far?" before stabbing her in the back, a court has heard.
Darren Brown, 35, is standing trial at Cardiff Crown Court after denying the attempted murder of 33-year-old Corrine Brown on 10 July 2023.
Mr Brown previously pleaded guilty to a second charge of wounding with intent.
On Wednesday, the jury was played audio clips from cameras in the separated couple's home in Wildmill, Bridgend.
These included clips from a device in Ms Brown's bedroom.
Ms Brown could be heard screaming and saying "No Darren, don't, please".
The recordings captured the two arguing about Ms Brown's new partner earlier on the day of the alleged attack.
Mr Brown then left the room, and his wife messaged her partner saying "the sooner he's completely out of my life the better", adding: "He will be back after drinking no doubt."
When Mr Brown returned, audio recordings captured him saying: "Why do you push me this far Corrine?".
James Wilson, prosecuting, said this was when the alleged attack then began, which he previously said saw Mr Brown stab his wife three times as she comforted their 18-month-old daughter.
Female screams could be heard on the audio, before a male voice said: "It's too late, Corrine".
Further clips were played to the court, in which Ms Brown could be heard pleading with her husband to stop.
At 22:13, Mr Brown was seen on doorbell footage leaving the house, locking the door and running away.
After this, the court heard that Ms Brown made phone calls to her mother and father, while her husband made two phone calls to his mother.
Mr Brown then phoned the emergency services, asking for an ambulance and giving an address before ending the call.
'At least two puncture wounds to back'
Shortly afterwards Ms Brown's new partner also called 999 and gave a more detailed account of the alleged attack, having spoken to Ms Brown.
At 22:26 Mr Brown returned to the house, where audio recordings appeared to indicate him telling Ms Brown: "It's a flesh wound."
Bodycam footage from police officers at the scene showed Mr Brown being handcuffed at the front door, after one of the officers asked family members in the house who was responsible for the injuries.
An officer can be heard speaking on his radio, saying: "She's got at least two puncture wounds to the left side of her back."
Mr Brown was arrested and taken to Bridgend police station, where he could be heard saying on bodycam footage: "I tried to make sure she wouldn't hurt herself."
Cardiff Crown Court heard that Ms Brown said "no Darren, don't, please" as her husband stabbed her
Earlier, the court had heard transcripts of several messages sent by the defendant over the weekend leading up to the alleged attack on 10 July, along with phone call records and internet searches.
His wife had gone to Southend on 7 July to visit her new boyfriend, which the jury heard Mr Brown was having "difficulty coming to terms with".
Messages from Mr Brown to his wife included "I still love you", and that it was "not too late to change your mind".
Mr Brown also told a friend that the situation was "crazy", adding: "I'm starting to lose the will to live."
The court also heard that Mr Brown's mother encouraged him to visit her or go for a walk to clear his head if he was struggling in the early hours of 10 July.
In one message she told him: "Don't want you doing anything stupid, bro."
Mr Brown was an independent council member representing the Morfa ward on Bridgend Town Council and resigned in September 2023.
The trial continues.
- Published2 January
