Axe killer 'forced to have sex'

Jan Charlton has admitted killing her partner

A former escort girl who killed her boyfriend with an axe had suffered a catalogue of sexual abuse by him, a court heard.

Jan Charlton has admitted killing 40-year-old Danny O'Brien, who was found in the bedroom of the house they shared in Midgley, West Yorkshire.

But 36-year-old Charlton says she acted in self-defence and denies murder.

Mr O'Brien's body was discovered face down in the blood-splattered bedroom of the couple's home.

Danny O'Brien's was found bound and gagged

The jury heard that Charlton confided in a friend - identified only as Mrs E - who had become "extremely concerned" about Ms Charlton following reports of a series of sexual encounters with Mr O'Brien.

This included one occasion when Mr O'Brien had his partner to a Manchester sex club and carried out a sexual act with her while other people watched.

She said she asked Charlton why she and her four-year-old daughter Amy had not left Mr O'Brien.

Charlton allegedly told her she did not have access to any of the couple's money.

Mrs E said: "She then told me that he had threatened he would find her and Amy wherever they were and he was going to bring them back.

"And if they tried to get away again, he'd kill them. It was always her and Amy."

Mr O'Brien's body was discovered blindfolded and gagged in the bedroom of their home.

Mrs E told the court: "He seemed to be controlling her mind in some way."

The case continues.