Ex-Royal aide on murder charge

Jane Andrews was a long-time employee of the Duchess of York

The Duchess of York's former personal assistant, Jane Andrews, killed her boyfriend after he refused to marry her, a jury has heard.

She allegedly hit businessman Thomas Cressman, 39, on the head with a cricket bat and then stabbed him with a sharp kitchen knife.

Miss Andrews, 34, denies murdering Mr Cressman at their home in Fulham, west London, between 15 September and 19 September last year.

Originally from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, she worked as an aide and dresser for the Duchess of York for nine years until 1997.

Bruce Houlder, QC, prosecuting, told the Old Bailey jury of 10 women and two men: "We do not suggest the murder was planned long in advance. It was no sudden attack either.

Thomas Cressman: Found stabbed at home

"There was plenty of time here for reason to enter the situation.

"It was long enough for her to put a brake on her emotions, even in the time it took her to go downstairs and take a knife upstairs into the bedroom."

He told the jury they "could be sure" she was depressed at the time and when she drove her car to the West Country where she was found by police near Plymouth.

But during the time she was missing, Mr Houlder alleged, Miss Andrews had contacted friends and acquaintances on her mobile phone and pretending not to know Mr Cressman had been attacked and died.

He said that after three days in hospital, Miss Andrews had been released to police and had then "changed her story again", saying she had acted in self-defence.

The hearing was adjourned until Tuesday.