Refuge considered before killing

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A 50-year-old woman who was killed by her ex-partner had hours earlier refused to go into a refuge without her dog, a trial has heard.

Mold Crown Court was told Karen McGraw of Connah's Quay, Flintshire was told the refuge had a no pets rule.

Ms McGraw, a mother-of-four and grandmother, was stabbed to death at her home in July this year.

Trevor Ferguson, 49, of Sale, Manchester, admits killing but denies murder, claiming he was provoked.

Sandra Edwards of Women's Aid told the court that on 22 July - the day before the divorcee died - she had contacted them and was advised on her options.

One of them would have been to move to a refuge but it would not accept her pet dog.

Out of her house

She said Ms McGraw had been quite distressed.

Other options, including extra security which she already had were discussed, and it was agreed that a "marker" be put on her home so that police would attend immediately if there was any call from her home.

The jury has heard prosecution claims that Mr Ferguson killed her in temper in cold blood after she ended their relationship.

Police attended Ms McGraw's home twice the day before the killing responding to her calls.

Pc Christopher Monhiewicz told how he went there at about 1330 BST after being told that she wanted Mr Ferguson out of her house.

'In a relationship'

When the officer arrived, the defendant was at the doctor's and Ms McGraw repeatedly told them she did not want them there.

An hour or so later police received another call, returned and found Mr Ferguson sitting at the back door.

They told him that she did not want him at the property and he later drove off, followed by police.

The jury has been told Ms McGraw died at her home on 23 July - the day she changed her profile status on Facebook from "in a relationship" to "single".

Andrew Thomas QC prosecuting said the defendant killed her in cold blood in a fit of anger at the fact that she has rejected him.

Neighbours

Mr Thomas told the jury: "The prosecution say that this case is a sad example of a woman struggling to cope with domestic violence with an abusive partner."

He said Ms McGraw was torn between being in an abusive relationship and the fear of what would happen if she left him.

He added: "Of course, we now know that her worst fears were realised."

The jury has been told that Mr Ferguson burst into the house, chased her out of the back door, and stabbed her three times when she was trapped by a side gate which had been locked to try to prevent him getting in.

Neighbours told the jury they heard a scream and a woman saying "I love you".

A man was heard saying "No, you don't" and later Mr Ferguson was seen running away down an alley before driving off.

Mr Ferguson admits killing her but denies murder, claiming that provocation and diminished responsibility make it a manslaughter case.

The trial continues.