A WEALTHY spinster told a jury how she handed over a total of £130,000 to her financial consultant and lover over a period of time.

Gwyneth Griffiths, aged 74, said at Chester Crown Court that she moved from her home in Pontypool to live in Worcester so that she was closer to Peter John Crittenden, 64, of Beech Avenue, Barbourne, Worcester.

He has denied murdering Joan Beddeson, aged 71, of Rayleigh Close, Macclesfield, because she stated asking him about the £270,000 she had handed over to him for investments.

Miss Griffiths told the jury she changed her will to leave everything to Crittenden "because of my feelings towards him."

Lord Alex Carlile, prosecuting, claimed that Crittenden travelled from his home to Macclesfield, entered Miss Beddeson's home through an open patio door, and smothered her with a pillow.

Lord Carlile said that Crittenden was having an affair with both women but Miss Griffiths survived because she did not ask any questions about the various sums of money she had handed over to him for "investments."

Lord Carlile said that Crittenden was "significantly in debt" when he killed Miss Beddeson.

After being informed on Thursday that a member of the jury had been taken ill, Judge Elgan Edwards adjourned the trial until Monday.