A JURY heard yesterday the explanation given by a murder suspect when police arrived to find his girlfriend dead at the home they shared.

Sergeant Kevin Jones was one of the first officers to arrive at Palgrove Road, Sunderland, where Leslie Purvis, 40, is said to have beaten 23-year-old Kelly Risborough to death on April 22, last year.

Sgt Jones was called in after two police constables discovered that Miss Risborough was dead in the bathroom.

He told Newcastle Crown Court yesterday how Mr Purvis "offered some words" as they sat in the living room downstairs.

Sgt Jones read out the extract, which he had recorded in his notebook at the police station an hour later.

It read: "I got home and went to bed then she came home drunk trying to get into bed with me.

"I pushed her off and dragged her to the bathroom, where she fell against the door. I put her in a cold bath to sober her up and went back to bed.

"When I got up she must have choked on her own vomit."

On the day of the killing, Miss Risborough had been to a friend's house all day, before returning home at midnight.

Mr Purvis had been drinking in the Pallion Inn with friends, before heading home at about the same time.

Toby Hedworth QC, prosecuting, alleged Mr Purvis launched a violent attack after the pair met up at home.

Miss Risborough died as a result of massive bleeding due to an extensive laceration to the liver, caused by a blunt force.

Mr Purvis denies murder and the trial continues.