'Man forced pole into ex's neck'

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A building worker tried to kill his ex-partner by thrusting a 4ft (1.2m) metal fencing pin through her neck, Caernarfon Crown Court has heard.

Gary Rhodes, from Old Colwyn, Conwy, allegedly spied, then "crept up" on Lynda Green, 40, as she had a cigarette in a garden in Prestatyn, Denbighshire.

If the pole, which had to be cut by firefighters, had moved a fraction, she could have died, the court heard.

Mr Rhodes, 42, denies attempted murder and the trial continues.

The court heard on Wednesday how the pole went through her neck and down to the chest cavity.

Ms Green was having a cigarette and a drink in the garden at her twin sister's home in Prestatyn, when Mr Rhodes allegedly struck.

Simon Medland, prosecuting, said he "crept up on her that dark night" then rammed the rusting pin into her neck, pushing it into her body.

She told police she had tried not to pass out because she knew "that could be it" if she fell asleep.

A fire crew was called to cut the pole so Ms Green could be taken to hospital.

Mr Medland said Mr Rhodes had been manipulative and threatening, and this had been mirrored in his previous marriage.

The court heard how Mr Rhodes and Ms Green had planned to marry in August 2008, but, because of his demands, she left him and moved in with her sister.

The prosecution claim he had been spying on Ms Green for a week before the attack.