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Leeds murder trial hears chilling 999 call
Police at the scene of a murder at Portland Road, Wortley.
A woman who stabbed her friend’s partner could be heard continuing to attack him as he lay on the floor fatally injured, a jury heard.
Leeds Crown Court heard a recording of a 999 call in which Janine Birch can apparently be heard shouting threats at Martin Wheelhouse as he lay on the floor suffering from a stab wound to the chest.
Mr Wheelhouse’s girlfriend Alexine Cowell made the call during the incident at Portland Road, Wortley, Leeds, at which her two children were also present.
Tim Capstick, prosecuting, said Birch, 43, could be heard making threats to stab and kill Mr Wheelhouse during the recording.
Miss Cowell can be heard shouting “get off him” as she takes first aid advice from the operator.
Mr Capstick said at one point during the incident Birch began eating a piece of corn on the cob and spat pieces out as she made threats.
Mr Wheelhouse died from the stab wound shortly after being taken to Leeds General Infirmary on August 16 last year.
Bruises were also found to his rib which, Mr Capstick told the jury, were consistent with Birch kicking and stamping on Mr Wheelhouse as he lay bleeding to death.
Birch, of Blenheim View, denies murder. She claimed after her arrest that she was acting in self defence.
The incident happened shortly after Birch moved in with her friend Miss Cowell and her children as she had nowhere to live following a fall out with her daughter.
Mr Wheelhouse was in a relationship with Miss Cowell and would visit her home regularly but did not get on with Birch. The pair had argued with each other previously.
The jury heard Birch and Miss Cowell had been drinking White Ace cider while her children were being looked after by their father. Mr Wheelhouse arrived at the house when Birch had gone to bed but awoke when she heard his voice.
Birch and Mr Wheelhouse, who was carrying a rucksack and a hockey stick, then had an argument in the kitchen. Miss Cowell got between them and pushed her boyfriend outside to prevent any trouble.
Mr Capstick said Miss Cowell saw Birch go to the back door to confront Mr Wheelhouse.
He said: “She was to see this defendant raise her arm, swing it towards the deceased’s body, in particular his neck, in a jabbing motion, making contact with him.
“She saw she was armed with a knife which was dropped onto the kitchen floor.”
Miss Cowell then went to the door and her boyfriend said: “She’s stabbed me.” He was unable to breathe and Miss Cowell brought him inside but he collapsed on the floor.
Proceeding
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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