'Killer attacked' victim's daughter

The victim Charmaine Dempsey allegedly hit a friend's child

The daughter of a dead Sussex woman was beaten by one of her mother's alleged killers three days before her death, a court has heard.

Stephen Johnstone punched Emma Dempsey, 24, of Crawley, in West Sussex, in the days running up to her mother's killing, Lewes Crown Court heard.

Mr Johnstone and his friend, Alex Gallacher, are accused of murdering Charmaine Dempsey in November 2002, at her home in Ivory Walk, Bewbush, after a long running dispute escalated out of control.

Mr Gallacher, 33, and Mr Johnstone, 26, were arguing with Mrs Dempsey as they held her responsible for a mutual friend's child being taken into care, the court heard on Wednesday.

Babysitting

They believed the 48-year-old victim hit Tracey Gazzard's child when she was babysitting for her, the court heard.

The victim's daughter, Emma Dempsey, said when Mr Johnstone, of Sunnymead, West Green, and an unknown man allegedly attacked her they said "this is for your mum".

Miss Dempsey told the court they punched and kicked her, leaving her bruised.

Tracey Gazzard, of Neptune Close, Bewbush, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but Mr Gallacher, of Neptune Close, Bewbush, and Mr Johnstone deny murder.

The trial continues.