Spurned husband accused of murder

A spurned husband tried to kill the wife who was "violent and aggressive" towards him before murdering her new lover - a court was told.

Newlywed David Slater, aged 57, of Sudeley Gardens, in the Milking Bank area of Dudley, denies murdering Kenneth Westwood, aged 50, and attempting to murder his wife of two weeks Alison Slater, now known as Alison Edwards, on August 17 last year.

Witness Ronald Blount told Wolverhampton Crown Court Slater had vowed: "I'm going to kill them," when he heard his wife and Mr Westwood were an item.

The court heard the newlyweds had been living with Mr Blount at the time of their wedding. Mr Blount said Mrs Slater was often "violent and aggressive" towards her husband.

The jury heard how Mr and Mrs Slater, aged 51, spent their wedding night on August 2, 2008, in separate beds because of an argument about drinking. Mrs Slater moved out shortly afterwards but stayed in touch with Mr Blount and agreed to meet him in Sedgley on the evening of August 16.

The court heard how he was introduced to her new partner Mr Westwood – known as Sam – and the three of them went drinking in a number of pubs.

Mr Blount, a self-confessed alcoholic, said: "When I got home about 1am David was cooking in the kitchen because he'd been out for a few drinks too. I told him about Sam and he slammed his plate down on the work surface and said 'I'm going to kill them.'

The pair had a scuffle before Mr Blount agreed to call Mrs Slater and find where she was staying so Slater could see her.

Mr David Williams QC, opening the case for the prosecution, told the court Slater drove round to the address in Monument Lane, Sedgley, armed with a 9.5-inch kitchen knife.

He said Slater stabbed Mr Westwood and his wife a number of times and added: "She had life-threatening injuries but managed to survive."

The trial continues.