Murder accused slashed her own wrists - court hears

Sharon Hodges has been standing trial at Bristol Crown Court over the past week.

She denies murdering Philip Gibbs following a row at their caravan last year.

The court has heard how at one point the 41-year-old told police Mr Gibbs had slashed her wrist while she was on the phone to another man and her partner fell upon the knife she picked up in self-defence.

Richard Smith QC, prosecuting, said she has since admitted to stabbing Mr Gibbs rather than it being an accident, but maintains it was to protect her safety.

Mr Smith suggests Hodges’ injuries were in fact self-inflicted.

Mr Gibbs staggered injured out of the home the couple shared at Sand Bay Caravan Park in Kewstoke last November and approached a friend’s caravan for treatment.

Marie Irwin, who heard Mr Gibbs shouting and banging outside, gave him a tea-towel to stem the flow of blood.

She told the court: “I asked him to come inside. Then I realised he was unable to move and was frozen to the spot so I had to go to him. He seemed to be in shock and he was rooted to the spot.

“He said: ‘I’ve been stabbed. The b***h has stabbed me.”

Both Ms Irwin and her partner Andrew Edwards said Hodges arrived five to 10 minutes after, with cuts to her wrists. Mr Smith said it was during this period Hodges slashed her own wrists.

Mr Edwards told the court: “She was very irate and at the time said [to Mr Gibbs] ‘You started this first. I have witnesses on the phone.’

“She did say: ‘I told you, you wouldn’t stop me from seeing the children.’”

Ms Irwin said Hodges never asked Mr Gibbs, aged 58, about how he was and she herself received the cold shoulder for seemingly taking sides by tending to his injuries.

She also told the court Hodges demanded more respect from police officers on the scene and swore at one of them.

The trial continues and is expected to last until the end of the month.

* For more on the trial see this week’s Weston Mercury.