Alethea Taylor murder accused tells jury of love for widow

But John Taylor denied claims earlier made in court by his mistress Alison Dearden that he had planned to leave his wife of 16 years Alethea just months after starting the fling.

He branded her a 'fantasist' at Worcester Crown Court yesterday. And he refuted suggestions a house he bought jointly with his wife in Leominster as an 'investment opportunity' was in fact a love nest for him and his new partner.

Taylor, who denies murder, is accused of killing his wife at their family home in Mortimer Drive, Orleton, near Ludlow, and disposing of her body. The undertaker reported the 63-year-old missing on January 19 last year and she has not been seen since.

The court had earlier heard that Taylor had started an affair with Ms Dearden, from the nearby village of Brimfield, six months before his wife disappeared.

Defence counsel Mr Ignatius Hughes QC asked Taylor, who took to the stand yesterday, how he viewed his behaviour by having an affair behind his wife's back.

He said: "It shouldn't have happened.

"I had known Alison for a good number of years and she asked me to conduct her husband's funeral, which I did.

"She went downhill, became very depressed, and I went over to comfort her basically. We became very good friends and the relationship started from there."

Mr Hughes said: "We know from earlier evidence she (Alison) was very keen on you. Were you keen on her?" "I had fallen in love with her, yes," Taylor replied.

The 61-year-old told the court he had bought the house in Westgate, Leominster, for £110,000 cash towards the end of 2011.

He told his wife it needed work and he wanted to 'do it up' with her and make some money on it, the court had earlier heard.

But prosecuting counsel Mr Michael Burrows, cross-examining Taylor, said texts sent from him and Ms Dearden suggested the pair were talking about setting up home together as early as August 2011.

But Taylor claimed she was a 'fantastist', adding: "It was Alison's fantasies. She was going through a rough time and she would have liked to have got out of the area."

Mr Burrows asked him: "Alison Dearden told us you planned to leave Alethea by Christmas of 2011. Is that true?"

"I honestly can't remember that, we discussed a lot," Taylor replied.

Mr Burrows went on: "By October of 2011 your relationship with Alison Dearden was at least sexual, and at most you were planning on moving in together, weren't you?"

"No," Taylor replied.

The trial continues.