Partner killed 'depressed' widow

Joyce Sutton was found lying bleeding in bed, the jury heard

A jury has heard a 65-year-old widow was bludgeoned to death by her long-term partner as she lay in bed.

David Henton, 72, denies murdering Joyce Sutton at her home in Skewen, near Neath, in January 2006.

Swansea Crown Court heard the couple had known each other for 30 years but lived at separate addresses.

Paul Lewis QC, prosecuting, said Mr Henton, of Parc Wern in Neath, broke a window in the back door of Ms Sutton's home to make it look like a burglary.

The court heard Mr Henton reported finding Ms Sutton, a widow with one son, just after 0800 GMT on 11 January 2006.

Police found the back door was open and Mrs Sutton was lying bleeding in her bed.

Mr Lewis said it was for the jury to decide if Mr Henton had come to regard Ms Sutton in her depressed state as a "burden he could no longer bear".

The case, heard by a jury of nine women and three men, continues on Thursday.