Jury out for Walsall mother accused of partner murder plot

Kelly Cliff is accused of trying to recruit former neighbour Dalton Bowen to either cause or arrange the death of Carl Gallagher, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

But Mr Bowen was so shocked by the suggestion that he went to the police instead and they arrested the 40-year-old from her home in Brookfield Road, Aldridge, it was claimed.

Mother of two Cliff has admitted discussing his death – and wishing he would 'drop dead'.

Cliff admitted to a jury that she talked about the demise of Carl Gallagher with Dalton Bowen, the man she is accused of asking to kill him.

She told the jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court while giving evidence on the second day of her trial: "I said: 'The only time he will leave me alone is when he is dead and buried.' Then I added: 'Knowing my luck he would then come back and haunt me. Dalton laughed.

"I expected him to think that I was letting off steam. I did not think he would do anything about it. I never said that I wanted Carl murdered and I did not ask Dalton to do it."

Cliff has admitted visiting the man she is alleged to have asked to carry out the killing three times in two days – after not seeing him for 18 months.

Cliff denies soliciting Mr Bowen to kill Mr Gallagher between April 2 and April 6 and on the second day of a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court she told a jury that she had talked about the demise of Carl Gallagher with Dalton Bowen but said she was only 'letting off steam' and never thought he would do anything about it.

She said she failed to mention the discussion to detectives following her arrest because she was frightened after being locked up in the cells overnight before being interviewed.

She admitted visiting Mr Bowen three times in two days after not seeing him for 18 months but insisted she only mentioned the death of her partner once during those meetings.

The jury have heard that Mr Bowen has three previous convictions for assault and one for illegal possession of ammunition.

He confessed: "I have a reputation for kicking ass, using my fists but I do not use tools and do not go around to kill people. I was meant to find out who would do it, when and how much it would cost."

He alleged that he was so alarmed by the suggestion that he reported it to the police and Cliff was arrested at the house she shared with Mr Gallagher in Brookfield Road, Aldridge, on May 5.

Cliff and her partner had been married, divorced and reunited during a turbulent 22-year long relationship punctuated by several break ups.

She told the court: "It was volatile. I had affairs and he was not happy about that. We separated a few times but I have still got feelings for him."

Mr Gallagher said in a statement read to the jury: "Over our life together, if you wanted someone killed, the first person to come to mind would be Dalton Bowen."

The trial continues.