Murder trial jury in Flintshire is preparing to retire

John Barry Garner accepts killing his wife but denies a murder charge.

Legal arguments at Mold Crown Court were followed by closing submissions by prosecuting barrister John Philpotts and Patrick Harrington QC for the defence.

Judge Rhys Rowlands summed up the law to the jury and is preparing to complete his summing up of the facts.

He will then ask the jury to retire following a seven day trial.

The jury has heard how Garner killed his partner with a hammer in a "ferocious attack" before ringing 999 and telling the operator: "I think I've murdered my missus."

Garner, 51, admits killing Teresa Garner in the bathroom of the house they shared at Llys Dewi, Penyffordd, near Holywell, on October 24.

The prosecution says the "countdown" to her death began after he heard she was in contact with Stuart Jones, a man she was with 17 years ago when they had a daughter.

Mr Philpotts, for the prosecution, said Garner killed his partner in a "sustained and ferocious attack" in an assault which began on the landing of the house but ended in the bathroom.

Teresa Garner had 16 separate head wounds, the jury heard.

Garner told the court he has no recollection of killing his partner or dialling 999.

He had been drinking heavily for days and only learned what he had done when his solicitor visited him in a police station.

Garner denied getting the hammer with the intention of attacking his partner and said he could only think it was in the house because he intended to fix some floorboards.

Garner said he idolised her and denied being jealous that his stepdaughter's biological father had resumed contact with the deceased and had visited the house.

Proceeding.