OAP denies killing partner in bed

David Henton was giving evidence for the first time

A 72-year-old man has told a crown court jury that he did not murder his long-term partner in her bed in 2006.

Giving evidence in his own defence David Henton said he never raised a hand to Joyce Sutton, 65, in the 32 years he had known her.

The court has already heard secret recordings of him talking to his cats, which police claim include a confession he hit Mrs Sutton from Skewen.

Mr Henton, from Neath, denies murder. The trial at Swansea continues.

The widow and mother-of-one was found bludgeoned to death in bed at her home in January 2006.

Questioned by his barrister Elwen Evans QC, the pensioner said they he had never hit Mrs Sutton or raised a hand to her.

Valentine's cards

He said they did not have rows - if something was causing concern they would sit down and talk about it in a chat.

Asked directly "Did you kill Joyce Sutton?," Mr Henton replied: "No. No, definitely not."

The jury heard further details of the couple's relationship.

Mr Henton was shown three cards, two of them Valentine's that they had sent each other.

He was asked to read out the message on the third card - an anniversary one.

He read:"Dearest Joyce, with love from Dai, thank you for 28 years.

Joyce Sutton was found bludgeoned to death two years ago

Asked about his relationship with the murder victim, Mr Henton said he was "very happy with her", that he saw her every day and that they were the "best years of his life".

Ms Evans asked if there was ever an occasion when he saw Mrs Sutton's son Darren threaten her.

Mr Henton said he had once and described an evening when Mrs Sutton had rung him asking him to go to her house quickly saying her son was there in a temper.

He said Mr Sutton had a knife in his hand in front of his mother and that he had tried to talk him into leaving.

Covert recordings

He told the jury he had tried to get Mr Sutton out of the house and there was a bit of a struggle.

He said: "I'm not one for fighting - next thing Joyce's mother had phoned the police."

Ms Evans also questioned him about covert police recordings previously played to the jury in which the prosecution claim Mr Henton admitted hitting Mrs Sutton.

She asked him what he meant by saying "if only the cats could talk".

Mr Henton replied: "They would say what happened that night. I have said it before. If only those cats could talk."

He is expected to continue evidence on Friday.