THE former partner of Natalie Harker has denied being responsible for her murder and kidnap, a jury has heard.
Andrew Pearson categorically denied murdering the 30-year-old when he started giving evidence in his trial at Teesside Crown Court.
Miss Harker's body was discovered naked and bruised in a tent belonging to Pearson several hours after she was reported missing.
John Elvidge QC, representing Pearson, asked his client: "Did you assault Natalie Harker?" "No," replied the accused.
"Did you intend to do her any harm?", he asked. Pearson replied: "No."
"Did you intend to cause her really serious harm," he asked. "No," Pearson replied.
"Did you intend to kill her?" asked Mr Elvidge. Pearson simply replied "No."
Pearson told the jury that he considered the pair's relationship as 'loving'.
Earlier in the trial, Andrea Nolan recounted a conversation she had with the defendant after the couple had split up.
She told jurors how he described Harker as a 'bit of a one' as he believed she had started seeing someone else.
She said: "He hoped she would live to regret her decision and life has a way of coming full circle."
Other witnesses said Miss Harker had raised concerns about her former partner following her when she was going to and from work in the weeks leading up to her death.
Miss Harker was found dead in woodland near her Colburn home last October.
The trial of Pearson, of Chestnut Court, Catterick Garrison, continues.
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