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Financier's wife 'sensed menace' Financier's wife 'sensed menace'
(13 minutes later)
The wife of a successful City banker accused of murdering her sensed "a menace" about him, her sister has told a court.The wife of a successful City banker accused of murdering her sensed "a menace" about him, her sister has told a court.
Father-of-two Neil Ellerbeck, 46, who denies murder, is accused of strangling wife Katherine at their home in Enfield, north London.Father-of-two Neil Ellerbeck, 46, who denies murder, is accused of strangling wife Katherine at their home in Enfield, north London.
The Old Bailey heard he was jealous because of his wife's affairs.The Old Bailey heard he was jealous because of his wife's affairs.
Susan Reed said tension was high in the house and said Mrs Ellerbeck felt uneasy when at home with her husband.Susan Reed said tension was high in the house and said Mrs Ellerbeck felt uneasy when at home with her husband.
Mrs Ellerbeck's body was discovered in her home in November.Mrs Ellerbeck's body was discovered in her home in November.
Ms Reed said: "Tension was extremely high in the house, she was feeling such tension when he was there. There were a lot of rows.Ms Reed said: "Tension was extremely high in the house, she was feeling such tension when he was there. There were a lot of rows.
"She said she felt she caught him looking at her. She felt a menace but she didn't know what it was that she needed to be worried about.""She said she felt she caught him looking at her. She felt a menace but she didn't know what it was that she needed to be worried about."
She added: "She felt he was planning something but she wasn't sure what. She felt very uneasy when they were in the house together."She added: "She felt he was planning something but she wasn't sure what. She felt very uneasy when they were in the house together."
Earlier in the trial, prosecutors alleged Mr Ellerbeck was "obsessively jealous" and recorded calls between his wife, 45, and her lover who was a tennis coach. Earlier in the trial, prosecutors alleged Mr Ellerbeck was "obsessively jealous" and recorded calls between his wife, 45, and her lover Patrick McAdam, who was a tennis coach.
'Following her''Following her'
Mr Ellerbeck was himself having an affair and had "squirreled" away money in fear of divorce, it was also alleged.Mr Ellerbeck was himself having an affair and had "squirreled" away money in fear of divorce, it was also alleged.
Ms Reed said that Mrs Ellerbeck had become suspicious that her husband appeared to know her movements.Ms Reed said that Mrs Ellerbeck had become suspicious that her husband appeared to know her movements.
She said: "He seemed to know if she had gone anywhere different or taken a different route anywhere. She said that she suspected that somehow he was following her movements in some way."She said: "He seemed to know if she had gone anywhere different or taken a different route anywhere. She said that she suspected that somehow he was following her movements in some way."
Mrs Ellerbeck felt she was being monitored or followed, Ms Reed also alleged.Mrs Ellerbeck felt she was being monitored or followed, Ms Reed also alleged.
She was becoming worried about this but did not go to the police because she thought no-one would believe her, the court heard.She was becoming worried about this but did not go to the police because she thought no-one would believe her, the court heard.
Describing their marriage, Ms Reed said problems began when their mother died and Mrs Ellerbeck started to feel that her husband was not supportive.Describing their marriage, Ms Reed said problems began when their mother died and Mrs Ellerbeck started to feel that her husband was not supportive.
'He was horrible'
Mr McAdam told the court that he flirted with Mrs Ellerbeck after she brought her children for coaching at the gym where he worked.
"I would see her more and more," he said.
"I just became more friendly with her over time and eventually it developed into a relationship."
They would have dinners together once their affairs had begun, Mr McAdam said, and after some time Mrs Ellerbeck began volunteering information about the state of her marriage.
"Initially she said they didn't have a physical relationship and they fought," he said.
"Over time I got to know that they argued all the time, that he [Mr Ellerbeck] was horrible to her and put her down.
"She said she would not want to be in the same room as him."
And she complained that her husband was "controlling" and sometimes had "fits" if he did not get his way, Mr McAdam claimed.
The trial continues.The trial continues.