A man who stabbed his estranged wife at least 68 times while she was in her daughter’s home has admitted killing her.

Harry Turner maintains he ‘lost control’ when his wife, Sally, told him he would never see the ‘girls’ again after they separated following her affair with a taxi driver, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The 54-year-old repeatedly stabbed his wife in the neck and torso when a row erupted when he met up with her in June last year.

Mark McKone KC, prosecuting, told jurors that there is no eyewitness account of the fatal stabbing or what was said in the lead-up to her killing but a neighbour heard two loud screams lasting five seconds each.

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In his opening address, the barrister said Mrs Turner’s body was found in the hall of her daughter’s house and the defendant was arrested nearby with dried blood on his arms and blood spatter on his shoes.

He added: “The marriage was breaking down and both sides blamed the other for the breakdown. Harry correctly believed Sally was having an affair and would check her phone.

“The infidelity is complicated by messages showing Harry and Sally appearing to show or encourage each other to have sex with other people. Sally had started a relationship with a taxi driver who took one of the grandchildren to school.”

The Northern Echo: Sally TaylorSally Taylor

Mr McKone said the postman had set up a ‘stalker’ social media account and told work colleagues to ‘watch this space, it’s going to end badly’ as he struggled with depression following the marital breakdown.

He said the couple were the legal guardians of Mrs Turner’s two grandchildren and it was her daughter who found her in a pool of blood in her home.

When police arrived, a bent kitchen knife was found in the kitchen, with another kitchen knife found under Mrs Turner’s leg.

Jurors heard how the accused had gone upstairs to wash his hands and change his clothes moments after delivering the fatal blows and walking away from the house.

Mrs Turner suffered 78 wounds, including defence injuries, from at least 68 knife blows with the deepest being 11cm deep and one was so powerful that it broke he shoulder blade.

The Northern Echo: Police at the scene of the alleged murder.Police at the scene of the alleged murder.

Turner denies murdering his wife in the house on Cuthbert Avenue, Durham.

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A post-mortem examination revealed the grandmother died from stab wounds.

Her family said that they are heartbroken by their loss and have asked to be left alone to grieve in peace.

Turner, of Tiree Close, Brandon, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denies murder.

The trial continues.