Cellar accused's 'violent past'

Dorothy Carre died from stab wounds

A man accused of stabbing his girlfriend to death and burying her in a cellar had a history of violence against partners, a court has heard.

Frederick Lawlor, 54, denies murdering Dorothy Carre, 56, in 1999 by repeatedly stabbing her at a house in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

Her body lay undiscovered at Equitable Street for eight years.

Manchester Crown Court heard details of a similar attack on former girlfriend Nora Roche in 1987.

The court also heard details of physical abuse towards another partner in 1981. Both attacks led to convictions.

Pregnant victim

In a written statement to the court read out by Neil Flewitt QC, prosecuting, Miss Roche told how she was taking a bath while Mr Lawlor was "fiddling around" with an electric fire in the living room.

He told her he was shortening the fire's flex, before he plugged it into a socket and placed the live end into the bath with Miss Roche.

She passed out before he removed the flex and began punching her in the face. He then stabbed her repeatedly.

Her injuries were so severe she needed five operations.

In 1981 Lawlor was convicted of actual bodily harm for an attack on another partner.

In a statement read by Mr Flewitt, she described how Mr Lawlor punched her repeatedly when she was heavily pregnant.

The victim fell backwards into a bath and Mr Lawlor began jumping on her stomach before punching her in the face again.

The court also heard that Mrs Carre had complained to family and to the police about having been punched by Mr Lawlor during their relationship.

In 1996 Mrs Carre made a complaint of assault to the police which was later retracted.

The case continues.