SUB-POSTMASTER Robin Garbutt told the jury that he would never have hurt his wife, Diana.

The 45-year-old wept as he spoke of how he missed her “now more than ever” and “just wanted her back”.

The eight men and four women listened as the softly spoken defendant talked of the couple’s “caring and loving relationship”.

They listened again as the defendant became hysterical while on the phone to the 999 operator, and again as he cried in the dock and then in the witness box.

They listened and they watched and then they agreed that the 45-year-old had bludgeoned his wife to death in her bed.

Read the full background to the Garbutt murder in Wednesday's Northern Echo, including:

• Diana Garbutt's secret life behind closed doors.

• The robbery that never was.

• What drove Robin Garbutt to kill.

• The anguish felt by friends and family.

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