Murder suspect Christina Button stood in tears around the hospital death-bed of the husband she is accused of killing, a court heard today.

Her brother in law, a physician Dr Vishal Kaushik, 37, said she was emotional and looked lost at George Button's side.

He told Newcastle Crown Court that Button looked "like a normal person would look like.

"She didn't look any different to what I would expect."

Dr Kaushik, who is married to Button's sister Maxine, travelled to the North-East from his home near Blackpool a day after Mr Button was found dying in a country lane near his home in West Rainton, County Durham.

Though a specialist in bowel problems, he was asked to visit Mr Button in Newcastle General Hospital by his family because of his medical background.

He also returned to the hospital the next day for three hours to speak to consultants treating Mr Button. Christina Button was also there "looking like she hadn't slept all night."

She was, he added, "tearful and emotional. I have seen many families in this position. It is part of my job."

Dr Kaushik described Simon Tannahill, 20, Button's co-accused, as being an "gentle giant" who was sensible and very family-orientated.

He said Tannahil, who the prosecution claim bludgeoned Mr Button to death after becoming obsessed with Button, his auntie, had cared for his wife's grandfmother before she died.

"He was just there" he said. "He was there to look after her.

"I didnt think he had many friends because he was more family-orientated, but he would always stop for chats."

Button and Tannahill deny murdering Mr Button.

The prosecution is expected to start summing up the evidence later today.