Murder accused collapses in court

Mr Chenery-Wickens was being asked about spiritualism when he collapsed

A spiritualist minister who is being tried for the murder of his make-up artist wife has collapsed in the dock during cross examination.

An ambulance was called to Lewes Crown Court to assist David Chenery-Wickens, of Duddleswell, East Sussex.

It is claimed Mr Chenery-Wickens, 52, killed Diane, 48, and dumped her body in woodland last January.

In court Mr Chenery-Wickens made groaning noises and fainted, falling down the steps and banging his head.

The prosecution had been asking him about his spiritualism at the time.

He was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

Last week he told the court there was "no way" he was involved in his wife's death.

The couple were married at a register office in June 1997, but the relationship was "over" by the time of her death, he said.

Mr Chenery-Wickens suffered from heart problems, diabetes, malaria, suspected prostate cancer and had undergone a hernia operation in recent years, the court heard on Friday.

The trial was adjourned to Tuesday.