Neighbour of murder accused tried to help dying wife
The neighbour of man accused of murdering his wife has told a court how she tried to help the North Yorkshire postmistress before paramedics arrived.
Robin Garbutt, 45, denies killing his wife, Diana Garbutt, 40, in March 2010, who was found with head wounds.
Mrs Garbutt was found in bed above Melsonby Post Office which the couple had run together since 2003.
Neighbour Pauline Dye said the pair tried to find a pulse without success before paramedics arrived.
Mrs Dye said Mr Garbutt had knocked on her door asking for her husband who had gone out.
She told the court: "He said 'Di's been attacked'.
"I said 'right I will come Robin' and I slammed the door and I went with him."
The court was told Mrs Garbutt, 40, was in pyjama bottoms and a sun top, face down in a bloody pillow on the bed.
Mrs Dye said Mr Garbutt, who was on the phone to the emergency operator, tried to get her to help him turn her over but she was not strong enough.
She told the court Mr Garbutt said: "Oh my God, her face, what about her face?"
Mrs Dye convinced him he had to turn her over and he did so on the bed.
They then tried to find a pulse, without success.
Mrs Dye said: "She was all blue, right across the chest."
There was matted blood in the victim's hair, the neighbour said.
When Mrs Dye felt Mrs Garbutt's wrist to find a pulse it was "coldish".
Soon after paramedics arrived and took over.
The trial continues.