Woman killed 'for ending affair'

Karen McGraw was also a grandmother

A mother-of-four was murdered by a man she met on an internet dating site in revenge for ending their relationship, a court has heard.

Karen McGraw, 50, was stabbed to death at her home in Connah's Quay, Flintshire, on 23 July.

Trevor Ferguson, of Sale, Manchester, denies murder and claims provocation and diminished responsibility.

Mold Crown Court heard that the defendant, 49, had met her on an internet dating site called Smooch.

The court was told that Mr Ferguson, 49, went to her home, kicked the door open and ran in with a pointed fisherman's filleting knife.

She fled in fear through the patio doors but was trapped by the side gate, which had bee locked to prevent him coming in, the court heard.

It was then that he stabbed her three times.

Andrew Thomas QC, prosecuting, said: "The defendant and Miss McGraw met via an internet dating website in about October last year.

"Mr Ferguson lived in Manchester and Miss McGraw lived in Connah's Quay. Their relationship developed and eventually the defendant came to live with Miss McGraw.

"But there were problems and the relationship broke down."

Mr Thomas said that in July she "called the police to her house several times. The defendant was asked by the police to leave and told not to return. Miss McGraw told him that the relationship was over.

"The defendant drove to Manchester, back to his mother's house. He sent Miss McGraw several text messages, asking her to take him back, but she refused."

Mr Thomas said the defendant returned to Connah's Quay the following night.

"At about 10 pm, the defendant went to Miss McGraw's house and kicked open the front door.

"Miss McGraw immediately tried to flee out the back door, but the defendant caught her. There was no fight or argument.

"The defendant grabbed hold of Miss McGraw and stabbed her three times to the body."

He told the court: "The prosecution say he plainly intended to kill her. We say that this was a killing in cold blood.

"It was an act of revenge by a violent and abusive man who could not accept the simple fact that his partner did not want to see him anymore."

The case continues.