THE jury in the trial of a man accused of murdering his former partner were due back in court today to continue considering their verdict.

Simon Meecham denies killing Leanne Meecham at her Westcliff home in February.

He told Chelmsford Crown Court 26-year-old Leanne died by accident after he produced a knife and said he was going to kill himself.

He admits causing the injuries that led to Leanne’s death, but denies a charge of murder.

Trial Judge Charles Gratwicke finished summingup the evidence to the jury of eight women and four men yesterday afternoon before sending the jury out.

Prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward claimed Leanne was the victim of a deliberate stabbing.

Her death was said to be motivated by “possessiveness and jealousy of the fact she was moving on with her life”.

But Meecham, 42, has told the jury he took a knife to the home in Park Road, Westcliff, to harm himself, not Leanne.

Meecham, from Rosewood Lane, Shoebury, said he swung his arm out to the side and the next thing he sawwas a look of shock on Leanne’s face.

He told the jury he panicked, fled from the scene and later used the same knife to stab himself three times.