Ingoldmells murder trial: Accused admitted he hurt partner

The jury at Lincoln Crown Court has been told that Andrew Highton left his partner Linda Treeby in the caravan where they were staying on the Summerlands site at Ingoldmells and sought help from a distant relative Jean Highton who lives less than a mile away.

Jean Highton, giving evidence on the third day of the trial, told the jury that Highton knocked on her door on the evening of 29 May.

"He was wet. It was drizzling. He just seemed a bit out of breath.

"He said that Linda needed help and asked me to phone for an ambulance. He said he'd hurt Linda."

She added that he then told her "I've done something really stupid. I'm in trouble.

"He was rubbing his eyes with his hands. I think he was very sorry for what he'd done."

Ms Highton "I didn't phone for an ambulance. I didn't really believe him. I couldn't understand what was going on."

She said she then contacted her daughter who drove them to the caravan park where they came across police and ambulance workers at the caravan.

Alexandra Burbank, the daughter of Jean Highton, told the jury "I asked him what happened. I don't recall exactly what he said.

"He said that she was saying stuff about his daughter."

Ms Burbank said that Andrew Highton then said "I've done a number on her".

She said "I asked what was the situation. He replied 'She's in no fit state for anything.' "

Andrew Highton, 51, of Highbury Road, Bulwell, Nottingham, denies murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter on 29 May this year.

The trial continues.