Murder victim 'not having affair'

The gardener was tied to Beverley Payne's Mercedes

A woman who was killed by the family handyman had not been having an affair, according to her partner.

Chris Davies said he had trusted Beverley Payne, 21, who was found with a single stab wound at her Neath home after a blazing row with handyman Nicholas Davies.

Beverley Payne: Concerned by handyman's behaviour

The 34-year-old gardener later drove the family's silver Mercedes into the Prince of Wales dock, Swansea, and was found drowned by police divers.

Chris Davies issued a counter statement through police amid speculation that Ms Payne had been having a relationship.

He said Nicholas Davies's behaviour "dramatically changed" when the couple announced they were moving abroad.

The businessman said he had been planning to start a new life with Beverley and their children Rebekah, 11 months, and Robert, three, in the Caribbean, where they were to marry.

Mr Davies, who flew back from a business trip in South America on Thursday, has been granted custody of the pair's children.

"Nicholas was a close, trusted family friend and a valued and reliable employee who doted on my children.

It had recently become apparant to us both that Nicholas had become confused and obsessive and was causing us great concern

Chris Davies, victim's partner

"It has become apparent to me that Nicholas' behaviour had changed dramatically in recent weeks when he became aware of our long-term plans abroad.

"Beverley and I had discussed Nicholas's adverse reaction to the news that Beverley and the children were to join me in Curacao.

"Following speculation by the media I feel that I must make it clear that Beverley and Nicholas's relationship was platonic despite how it may have been perceived by others.

Mr Davies added: "I am confident of Beverley's integrity in respect to this as a result of many open and frank telephone conversations about Nicholas's behaviour in recent weeks.

'Great pain'

"It had recently become apparant to us both that Nicholas had become confused and obsessive and was causing us great concern.

He said they had discussed plans to "distance themselves" from Nicholas Davies over a period of time.

Mr Davies continued: "It is now causing me great pain that I did not realise the significance of his character and mood changes at the time."

Meanwhile, a special crime unit from Scotland Yard is to question Chris Davies, as part of an investigation into the central London telecommunications firm he works for as a manager.

Police have appealed for witnesses to any recent sightings of Ms Payne and Nicholas Davies to telephone the incident room on 01792 456999.