Jacqueline Grant death: Stephen Streener begins defence
A man who denies murdering his girlfriend before setting fire to her body has told a court how the couple had planned for their future together.
Stephen Streener, 49, of Choppington, Northumberland, is accused of killing Jacqueline Grant last November.
The 48-year-old's body was found by firefighters in a house on Meadowbank Drive, Choppington.
Mr Streener told Newcastle Crown Court how he returned home from feeding his pigeons to be told she was dead.
Shortly before Mrs Grant's death the couple had discussed how Mrs Grant would leave her husband before they would marry and have children, Mr Streener said.
He said they had known each other for more than 30 years and had started an affair when working together at Brough Park greyhound stadium in Newcastle
Mrs Grant's body was found on the charred remains of a bed, with a cord around her neck fastened to a bedside cabinet.
The trial continues.