Husband accused of murdering Cheryl Hooper in Newport 'was in financial difficulties'
A farmer accused of shooting his estranged wife to death outside her Newport home was in financial difficulties, a jury was told today.
Andrew Hooper, known as Jack, is alleged to have murdered his wife Cheryl with a shotgun on January 26 last year in a fit of rage and jealousy after she moved out.
Giving evidence today, prosecution witness Sally Ann Smith said Mrs Hooper was her “dearest friend” and had confided in her many times about the state of the marriage in the months leading up to her death.
Prosecutor Mr David Mason QC put to her: “Clearly the relationship deteriorated with the defendant to a point in December 2017 when Cheryl decided to leave.”
Mrs Smith replied: “Yes. After they got married, it was okay for a while. She would talk to me about anything that she was finding difficult.”
She explained that among the couple’s issues was the defendant’s failure to attend the funeral of one of his wife’s girlfriends, to support her.
