Murder accused 'took drugs daily'

Maxine Williams denies stabbing Bernard Evans during a row

A woman accused of fatally stabbing her mother's partner said she was taking a cocktail of drugs, a court has heard.

Maxine Williams, 22, denies murdering Bernard Evans, 42, at his home in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, in January.

Swansea Crown Court heard that she told a police surgeon she was taking heroin and drinking heavily daily, and was smoking up to six cannabis joints.

The prosecution claims she stabbed Mr Evans twice during a violent argument and then threatened to eat his body.

Giving his evidence on Monday, the police surgeon, Dr Peter Skoda, said he had been called to Carmarthen police station to medically examine the defendant shortly after she had been arrested on suspicion of Mr Evans' murder in January this year.

Dr Skoda said Ms Williams told him about her drug taking, which included taking the tranquiliser diazapam and a strong painkiller, and her drinking.

He said she had also told him she had been depressed since age seven and had tried to harm herself on several occasions.

Mr Evans died from a knife wound after an incident at the home of the defendant's mother.

The prosecution claims the mother-of-one stabbed Mr Evans twice during a violent argument and while an ambulance was on its way threatened to eat his body.

The case continues.