A NEWPORT man accused of trying to kill a former lover said he “would have done anything” to stop her sleeping with her new partner, but did not intend to murder her. 

Giving evidence earlier today, Peter Adlington, aged 50, of Keene Street, said he just “lashed out” and his mind went blank as he stabbed estranged girlfriend of 20 years Michelle Williams at her flat in Greenwood, St Julians.

Adlington has admitted stabbing her with intent to cause grievous bodily harm but denies attempted murder on November 20 last year.

He said on the day of the attack he had visited her at work at the Royal Gwent Hospital to give her flowers and chocolates, but she told him their relationship was over and she was seeing another man.

Adlington said he took the bus to her flat and let himself in, using a key he had cut which Miss Williams was not aware he had, and was there when she returned home with Jeff Eger.

The defendant persuaded Miss Williams to talk with him alone, the court heard, but could not accept the relationship was over and stabbed her in the chest.

In police interviews read to Cardiff Crown Court today, Adlington said: I don’t know why I did it. I just didn’t want her sleeping with that man that night - I would have done anything to stop it. That’s all I could come up with the next day. It was spur of the moment.”

But he said he did not mean to kill her, just wanted to “hurt her somehow. There’s no way I would want to kill Michelle.”

He denied previously telling Miss Williams, “If you break my heart I’ll stab you in yours.”

Proceeding.