This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/8465750.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Accused 'told friend of killing' Accused 'told friend of killing'
(about 2 hours later)
A woman accused of killing a salesman and dumping his body parts told a friend her co-accused had carried out the murder, a jury has heard.A woman accused of killing a salesman and dumping his body parts told a friend her co-accused had carried out the murder, a jury has heard.
Pieces of Jeffrey Howe's body were found in Hertfordshire and Leicestershire last March and April.Pieces of Jeffrey Howe's body were found in Hertfordshire and Leicestershire last March and April.
Stephen Marshall, 38, of Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, and Sarah Bush, 21, of Southgate, London, deny murder.Stephen Marshall, 38, of Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, and Sarah Bush, 21, of Southgate, London, deny murder.
St Albans Crown Court heard Ms Bush had told a friend while drunk that there was "a lot of blood" and "a foot".St Albans Crown Court heard Ms Bush had told a friend while drunk that there was "a lot of blood" and "a foot".
The pair are accused of murdering the 49-year-old in March 2009.The pair are accused of murdering the 49-year-old in March 2009.
Mr Marshall has admitted dismembering Mr Howe and disposing of his body parts.Mr Marshall has admitted dismembering Mr Howe and disposing of his body parts.
'Death threat''Death threat'
He also pleaded guilty to two counts of perverting the course of justice.He also pleaded guilty to two counts of perverting the course of justice.
The first involved giving false information about the whereabouts of Mr Howe when police were conducting a missing person investigation.The first involved giving false information about the whereabouts of Mr Howe when police were conducting a missing person investigation.
Secondly, he admitted dismembering the victim's body and disposing of the parts in different places to impede the investigation.Secondly, he admitted dismembering the victim's body and disposing of the parts in different places to impede the investigation.
Ms Bush denies dismembering Mr Howe and disposing of his body parts.Ms Bush denies dismembering Mr Howe and disposing of his body parts.
Giving evidence, Danielle Matthews said Ms Bush told her about the killing while drunk: "She said it started in the bathroom.Giving evidence, Danielle Matthews said Ms Bush told her about the killing while drunk: "She said it started in the bathroom.
Jeffrey Howe's body parts were found dumped in two countiesJeffrey Howe's body parts were found dumped in two counties
"She was saying 'lots of blood', 'a foot', 'dismembered', 'constriction of breath'."She was saying 'lots of blood', 'a foot', 'dismembered', 'constriction of breath'.
"She said Steve was goading Jeff about moving out of his home... he turned around to Jeff and said 'get out of your home, I'll kill you and your family'.""She said Steve was goading Jeff about moving out of his home... he turned around to Jeff and said 'get out of your home, I'll kill you and your family'."
The court heard Mr Marshall and Ms Bush were boyfriend and girlfriend. The court heard Mr Marshall and Ms Bush became boyfriend and girlfriend after they met through an escort agency and he paid for sex.
Ms Matthews said Ms Bush told her about a cheque paid into her account from Mr Howe's account and how Mr Marshall was buying cocaine with Mr Howe's money. Ms Matthews, who also worked for the escort agency, said Ms Bush told her about a cheque paid into her account from Mr Howe's account.
On 30 March, Ms Bush went to Ms Matthews' house and was acting strangely, the court was told. She said Mr Marshall was buying cocaine with Mr Howe's money.
After getting drunk on beer and sambuca, Ms Bush told her about the killing, the court heard. 'Blood everywhere'
On 30 March, Ms Bush went to Ms Matthews' house and after getting drunk on beer and sambuca, Ms Bush told her about the killing, the court heard.
"She said 'Steve killed Jeff'," Ms Matthews said."She said 'Steve killed Jeff'," Ms Matthews said.
"I understood he died either by being strangled or by smothering but she did say 'lots of blood'. She never said why he done it.""I understood he died either by being strangled or by smothering but she did say 'lots of blood'. She never said why he done it."
Ms Matthews, who worked with Ms Bush as an escort, told the court Ms Bush and Mr Marshall met when he was her client and after paying her for sex at first, they started to have a relationship. Ms Bush had two daughters, aged four and two, but struggled to see them once she was in a relationship with Marshall who had allegedly been violent towards the girls' father, Ms Matthews said.
The trial continues. Witness Sophie Franklin, a hairdresser in her 20s, said she was told on a separate occasion that Steve killed Jeff by stabbing him in the back.
"Jeff was screaming and Steve was screaming at Sarah to put a pillow over Jeff's mouth.
"(She said) there was blood everywhere, even on the ceiling."
She also described how Mr Marshall had obtained Mr Howe's bank details and had written cheques to put in Ms Bush's account.
The trial was adjourned until Tuesday morning.