Woman killed by paranoid partner

Stephanie Barton was found with multiple stab wounds

A drug-user who refused help to fight his addiction to cannabis stabbed his girlfriend to death in a fit of paranoia, a court has heard.

Marc Middlebrook, 26, of Boston, Lincolnshire, attacked Stephanie Barton, 32, with a machete, kitchen knife and craft knife at his house.

The jury at Lincoln Crown Court heard he then tried to kill himself.

Mr Middlebrook denies murdering Ms Barton. At a hearing in May, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Farewell text

Ms Barton, from Brothertoft Road, Boston, was found with multiple stab wounds in Middlebrook's house in Larkspur Croft on 4 December 2007.

The court heard Ms Barton had 15 slash and stab wounds and her jaw was fractured in two places.

Mr Middlebrook then cut his own neck and wrists and sent a farewell text to his mother.

He was found bleeding in a bed with Ms Barton's body beside him.

William Harbage QC, prosecuting, told the jury it was not in dispute Mr Middlebrook had caused the injuries and it will be the prosecution's case that his behaviour was as a result of his long-standing abuse of cannabis.

He said Mr Middlebrook's behaviour was self-induced, he was not suffering from diminished responsibility and was guilty of murder and not manslaughter.

The trial continues.