Farmer 'felt bump under tractor'

Jane Wilson 'knew about affair' the court was told

A man accused of killing his wife who was found dead under a tractor at their farm in Cumbria has told a court he had no idea what happened.

Robert Wilson, 40, denies murdering his wife Jane, 53, at Kirkandrews-on-Eden, near Carlisle, on 1 December.

He told Carlisle Crown Court he felt a bump "that shouldn't have been there" when he drove into the barn.

He rejected claims that he killed her because he was in debt and wanted to start a new life with his mistress.

The jury was told that Mrs Wilson was aware he was having an affair, and just asked that he was discreet about it.

Mr Wilson said the couple were still close, even though they had different sexual appetites.

He admitted that he was about £300,000 in debt at the time of her death, but said he was not too worried as his assets were worth about £900,000.

The court heard there were also life insurance policies, in his and his wife's name, totalling about £400,000.

He said there was "no way on this earth" that he had killed her before running her over with his tractor, or that he deliberately ran her over.

He added: "I couldn't say then what happened and I've listened to everybody in this court and I still can't say now."

The trial continues.