Accused wife's death theories

A wife accused of murdering her husband believed he fell into the River Severn by accident and drowned or was mugged by an attacker, a jury has been told.

Muriel Southall gave both theories to police and said she had "racked her brains" to explain his death.

Her alleged lover Michael Whitcombe told detectives that lorry driver Reginald Southall was badly affected by the death of his mother, but did not believe he had committed suicide.

The prosecution claim the 62-year-old victim was attacked on the river bank before being dumped in the river at Stourport in a plot motivated by sex and money.

Muriel Southall, aged 60, of Redstone Lane, Stourport, and Whitcombe, 59, of Worcester Road, Stourport, deny murder and perverting the course of justice.

The prosecution read statements at Worcester Crown Court by the defendants made to police.

Southall said she and her husband went for a walk. She was not well and walked home alone. When her husband failed to return, she went out to look for him, then took medication for shingles and fell asleep.

The Southalls moved to Stourport Caravan Park in 2007. Warden Whitcombe said they all became friends but he denied the love affair.

The trial continues.