Man denies sawing off wife's head

Sally Sinclair was head of business analysis at Vodafone

A man accused of murdering his Vodafone executive wife has denied attempting to saw her head off with a knife.

Sally Sinclair, 40, was found with more than 30 stab wounds at their home in Amport, Hampshire, in August 2008.

At the time, she was head of business analysis at the mobile phone firm's world headquarters near Newbury, Berks.

Alisdair Sinclair, 48, formerly of Georgia Lane, Amport, admitted he and his wife were involved in a knife fight in which she died but denies murder.

Winchester Crown Court heard the attack in the kitchen of their rented luxury property was partly witnessed by children, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

I have no reason to cut someone's head off, I've never cut someone's head off Alisdair Sinclair, defendant

The defendant said that when his wife of 21 years finally admitted during an argument to having an affair, he ran at her with his fists raised.

Mr Sinclair told the jury she got a knife from a block and stabbed him in the hands, which led him to also grab a knife.

They started swiping at each other before he slashed her throat.

He said his wife fell to the floor and he could not remember any more of the attack, which also caused a number of injuries to her legs, back and torso.

When asked about "sawing" injuries to her neck, which appeared to be an attempt to cut her head off, he replied: "I have no reason to cut someone's head off, I've never cut someone's head off.

"It's a dreadful, dreadful thing and I have no knowledge of it."

Controlled the cash

On Wednesday, Mr Sinclair said he had feared for his life but admitted the attack had gone "beyond self defence".

The court heard Mr Sinclair had been a house husband for almost 10 years while his wife worked.

His duties included domestic chores and looking after their four motorcycles and 13 cars, which he admitted he hardly ever drove.

Mr Sinclair said he was the only one who withdrew money from the couple's joint account and said he would pay for almost all purchases in cash because he was scared of credit card fraud.

When asked if he behaved obsessively about money, he said: "I managed the money so we didn't get into debt, I was obsessive to the point I wanted to avoid fraud."

Christopher Parker QC, prosecuting, asked him if he allowed his wife to withdraw cash for herself to which he replied: "We were equals."

He then asked him: "Up until she told you she wanted a divorce, were you in control of the finances in the same way you controlled much of her life?"

Sinclair replied: "Our marriage was sharing, we shared everything, we were honest."

The trial continues.