A MURDER trial jury heard yesterday how a spurned husband’s health deteriorated after his ten-year marriage collapsed.

The full details of the divorce petition lodged by cheating wife Katrina Jones were also publicly revealed for the first time.

Mrs Jones, 34, claimed in the legal papers that the relationship had broken down in December 2008 after years of torment.

She blamed her 63-year-old husband Brian’s bad temper and obsessive compulsive disorder for the problems in their family.

The petition cites him repeatedly checking that windows and doors were locked, and placing everything in strict order. He stood behind his wife at the bath or basin, wiping away water as she washed her hair or hands, the jury was told.

When she peeled potatoes, he would be next to her cleaning the kitchen worktops, it was alleged in the divorce papers.

Mrs Jones also claimed her son was not allowed to have friends visit, or use a games console because the wires were untidy.

She said her husband, a former doorman and bodybuilder, would also create arguments by accusing her of looking at other men.

Teesside Crown Court has heard that Mrs Jones told friends her husband was obsessive and would rarely let her out of his sight.

A month after the divorce was finalised, Mrs Jones was stabbed to death at their former marital home in Marske, east Cleveland.

The court heard that she was preparing for a party to celebrate being “free” and had covered the house in balloons and posters.

Mr Jones, a retired seafood retailer, said he begged his exwife not to go ahead with the event, but she just laughed at him.

Yesterday, a neighbour and family friend, Brian Snaith, said he thought the idea of the party was “inappropriate”.

“I felt it was rubbing salt in the wounds,” he told the jury of six men and six women. “I think it would be upsetting for anybody.”

Mr Snaith said his wife and daughter had been invited to the party, on November 27, last year, but he stopped them going.

He told the court he had previously thought the couple were happy and said Mr Jones “idolised” his wife.

“He was always saying what a lucky man he was,” said Mr Snaith. “His favourite saying was ‘I love her to bits’. He said that many times.”

Mr Snaith described Mrs Jones as “a lovely girl” and added: “She was bubbly. She was always smiling.”

He said Mr Jones was proud of his powerful physique and had taken care of his appearance until the divorce proceedings started.

He said he began to look older, drawn and with sunken eyes. “He looked ill,” he added.

Mr Jones, of Thrushwood Crescent, Marske, denies murder, claiming provocation and diminished responsibility.

The trial continues.