Murdered wife had 35 stab wounds

One wound went through an artery in Jaspal Marsh's heart

A wife who was murdered by her husband's lover with a kitchen knife suffered more than 30 stab wounds, a Swansea Crown Court jury has been told.

Jaspal Marsh, 36, was killed in her bedroom in Gorseinon, Swansea, last July by Rebecca Harris, 30.

She has admitted murder but claims Stephen Marsh, 37, persuaded her to do it. He denies murder.

A Home Office pathologist told the jury on Monday that Mrs Marsh suffered 22 "deep" and 13 superficial stab wounds.

Dr Andrew Davidson said one of the 35 wounds cut through a major artery in Mrs Marsh's heart, another cut into her liver while others punctured her chest, shoulders, arms, legs and stomach.

The pathologist said the victim also suffered "defence wounds" on her fingers as she tried to grasp the knife from Harris, a married mother-of-one from Morriston in Swansea.

Stephen Marsh denies being involved in his wife's murder

The prosecution allege Mr Marsh established an alibi by going drinking with a friend in a city centre pub and set the murder scene by ensuring his wife left their home unlocked before going to bed.

Harris has also told the jury how she met Marsh and they begun a sadomasochistic relationship while they worked together at a Swansea directory inquiries call centre.

She described how he told her he wanted his wife "out of the way" and on the night of the murder he texted her saying: "Do it, just do it."

The trial has also heard evidence from another teenage lover of Mr Marsh, 19-year-old Michelle Hales, that he told her he "wanted his wife dead" and he knew the men to do it.

But the court has also heard how Mr Marsh, who had affairs with four women in all, told detectives after his arrest that he "was happy at home".

"She (Harris) knew how much I loved Jas. She was going to be my wife forever," he told them.

"It would crucify me to lose Jas. I rely on her completely. I am hoping it was a random burglary that went wrong."

The trial continues.