Joanna Doman died 'after row over hot water'

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A lodger killed his landlady by pushing her down the stairs in a row over using too much hot water by having two baths a day, a court heard.

Jesse Harper, 22, is alleged to have attacked Joanna Doman, 55, in her home near Bath after she said his bathing routine was an "expensive habit".

Mrs Doman, of Peasedown St John, died in hospital on 11 May, the day after being admitted with head injuries.

Bristol Crown Court heard Mr Harper denied the charge of manslaughter.

Jurors heard how Mrs Doman had been afraid of Mr Harper, who lived with her.

She had told friends she wanted him to move out of her two-bedroom house where he had been renting a room for £40 a week since November 2014.

Shortly after he moved in friends said their relationship was deteriorating with "niggly arguments".

Raised voices

The court heard rent was an "area of friction" as Mr Harper was no longer working and had no income.

Mrs Doman noticed he needed to have two baths a day, heating the water each time, the hearing was told.

She was frightened of how he reacted when she asked him not to use so much water and to pay the rent, the court heard.

At 08:45 BST on 10 May, Mrs Harper's next door neighbour heard raised voices coming from Mrs Doman's home.

Mrs Doman's mother, Josephine Farr, said she overheard the alleged attack because she was speaking to her daughter on the telephone at the time.

She told police she heard a muffled sound and then the phone went dead.

Mrs Farr tried ringing her daughter but when she could not get an answer she alerted police.

When he was arrested, Mr Harper said: "She came up the stairs and pushed me and she fell down the stairs, how is that my fault?"

The trial continues.