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Chelsea Hyndman Crete murder trial: Luke Walker 'beat' girlfriend Chelsea Hyndman Crete murder trial: Accused's life 'fell apart'
(about 2 hours later)
A man accused of murdering his girlfriend in Crete beat her, a trial on the Greek island has heard. A man accused of murdering his girlfriend in Crete has told a trial on the Greek island that his "life fell apart" when she was rushed to hospital.
Luke Walker, 25, from Brierley Hill, West Midlands, denies killing Chelsea Hyndman, 20, from Castleford, West Yorkshire, on the island in May 2010. Luke Walker, 25, from Brierley Hill, West Midlands, denies killing Chelsea Hyndman, 20, from Castleford, West Yorkshire, in May 2010.
The electrician broke down in tears as one witness, a friend of the couple, said he "loved her 100%". The electrician broke down in tears as one witness said he "loved her 100%".
However, in statements read out to the court it was claimed Mr Walker had hit and kicked his girlfriend.However, in statements read out to the court it was claimed Mr Walker had hit and kicked his girlfriend.
Ms Hyndman was admitted to hospital in Heraklion with abdominal pains on 16 May 2010 and died from acute peritonitis the following day.Ms Hyndman was admitted to hospital in Heraklion with abdominal pains on 16 May 2010 and died from acute peritonitis the following day.
Mr Walker, who lived with his girlfriend in the resort town of Malia, claims she was injured when she fell over on a night out with friends.Mr Walker, who lived with his girlfriend in the resort town of Malia, claims she was injured when she fell over on a night out with friends.
On Tuesday, the trial in Heraklion heard evidence from Louise Purdy, who had been on a night out with Ms Hyndman on 6 May. 'Little bicker'
She said the 20-year-old had fallen over on a cobbled street, landing with her left hand under her body near her stomach area. Taking the stand at Heraklion Mixed Criminal Court, Mr Walker, who claims he met Ms Hyndman in the resort in 2008, said his life changed forever when he realised his partner was seriously ill.
He said: "On the 16 [May] I take my girlfriend to the medical centre, I only had a phone card in my pocket because I thought we'd be back in an hour, and then we get rushed to the hospital and in that time my whole life fell apart."
The court heard that four days earlier Ms Hyndman, who was feeling nauseous, became irritated with Walker because he began cooking which led to a "little bicker".
Mr Walker denied pushing or hurting her. He also told the judge that she had not fallen against any furniture.
He admitted the couple had "standard" arguments and disagreements, but maintained they were both happy together.
The court was told that in the lead up to her death, Ms Hyndman's stomach became bloated, her eyes yellow and she was sick and constipated.
When asked why he thought his girlfriend had died, Mr Walker said: "All I know is that I stand here trying to tell you what I know.
"I know I'm innocent. I'm here to clear my name."
He told the court he had made her go to hospital and she was taken there on a friend's moped.
"When I got to the hospital the doctor came out and asked me if she had fallen over or anything and I said no because I did not know what had happened.
"Then I told my friend and they explained what had gone on."
'Who's Jessie?''Who's Jessie?'
However, in a series of statements read out in court, it was claimed Mr Walker had previously struck his girlfriend. But in a series of statements read out in court, it was claimed Mr Walker had previously struck his girlfriend.
One letter claiming to be from a woman who signed her name only as "Jessie", said Mr Walker was sometimes jealous of other men talking to Ms Hyndman, particularly when he was drunk.One letter claiming to be from a woman who signed her name only as "Jessie", said Mr Walker was sometimes jealous of other men talking to Ms Hyndman, particularly when he was drunk.
The writer of the letter claimed to know of two occasions when Mr Walker had beaten Ms Hyndman and kicked her in the stomach.The writer of the letter claimed to know of two occasions when Mr Walker had beaten Ms Hyndman and kicked her in the stomach.
"All do not know what goes on behind closed doors and they are too scared to come out to tell you," the letter added. Mr Walker's friends and family shouted out in court as it was read: "Jessie? Who's Jessie?"
Mr Walker's friends and family shouted out in court as it was read and asked: "Jessie? Who's Jessie?"
'Intense arguments'
Another document submitted to the court was purportedly sent to Greek police by a "Peter Rogers".Another document submitted to the court was purportedly sent to Greek police by a "Peter Rogers".
In it, he said he had overheard a conversation in which Mr Walker's father, Patrick, said his son had admitted hitting Ms Hyndman.In it, he said he had overheard a conversation in which Mr Walker's father, Patrick, said his son had admitted hitting Ms Hyndman.
Mr Walker's barrister George Pyromallis questioned the documents, saying they could easily be fake and he was uneasy about them being allowed in evidence.Mr Walker's barrister George Pyromallis questioned the documents, saying they could easily be fake and he was uneasy about them being allowed in evidence.
In a statement read to the court from Eda Quirici, who lived in the apartment below Mr Walker and Ms Hyndman, said she often heard "intense arguments" between the pair. Mother's letter
"These arguments were so intense, so fierce, that I could not sleep for the noise." A statement read to the court from Eda Quirici, who lived in the apartment below Mr Walker and Ms Hyndman, claimed she often heard "intense arguments" between the pair.
In her statement she said that, although she was not absolutely certain of the date, she remembers hearing an argument and shouting and screams at about 04:00 on 12 May.
She said: "I heard the girl screaming like someone does like when someone is being chased or being beaten.
"I heard furniture being dragged about like when someone is trying to chase a person."
Another witness, a friend of Ms Hyndman, however, described the couple as very much in love, with a strong relationship.Another witness, a friend of Ms Hyndman, however, described the couple as very much in love, with a strong relationship.
Giving evidence, Lyndsay Williamson said: "My impression of Luke was the same as Chelsea's impression of Luke - they wanted to be together, they wanted a future together, they wanted to get married, they wanted to have children." A letter was also read to the court that Ms Hyndman's mother Heather, who was in court, wrote to Mr Walker when he was in prison.
She added: "They were a little bit jealous of each other's past relationships with other people, but not with any malice."
'Stomach cramps'
Five days after falling over on a night out, Ms Williamson said she had noticed a change in her friend.
She said the two of them had spent time at the beach on 11 May 2010 and they had both been badly burned by the sun.
Ms Williamson told the court she saw her again the following day and said Ms Hyndman was being sick, had stomach cramps and thought she had sunstroke.
A letter was also read to the court that Ms Hyndman's mother Heather, who was in court, wrote to Mr Walker when he was in prison. He was later granted bail.
In it she wrote: "Luke, I know you and Chelsea love each other dearly. I can't believe it's ended like this.In it she wrote: "Luke, I know you and Chelsea love each other dearly. I can't believe it's ended like this.
"I'm sorry I haven't come to see you, I hope you can understand why. There's so many things going through my mind.
"I hope things work out for you. I hope things will end soon so my baby can rest in peace.""I hope things work out for you. I hope things will end soon so my baby can rest in peace."
The trial continues.The trial continues.