Latest on the Sadie Hartley murder trial
A married lover of stun gun murder accused Sarah Williams has said he had ``no idea'' she was pursuing a relationship with another man.
A married lover of stun gun murder accused Sarah Williams has said he had no idea'' she was pursuing a relationship with another man.
David Hardwick, 75, also said he could not believe it'' when he was informed that Williams, 35, had been arrested on suspicion of murder and told a jury he had never known her to be physically violent.
It is alleged that Williams was obsessed by ex-fireman Ian Johnston and brutally killed his partner, Sadie Hartley, 60, when he refused to leave her.
Ms Hartley was found in a pool of blood at her home in Helmshore, Lancashire, after she was incapacitated with a stun gun and then stabbed to death.
Mr Hardwick told Williams's murder trial at Preston Crown Court that he was unaware of the affair said to be have been taking place while she was living an affluent lifestyle, largely at his expense.
Previously labelled in court as a sugar daddy'', the semi-retired heating firm boss admitted he paid for a string of holidays - up to 12 a year - as well as giving her #75,000 towards buying a house and paying #320 a week into her bank account by standing order.
But he denied she was a kept woman'' and said he took that suggestionvery offensively''.
Giving evidence on Wednesday, Mr Hardwick said he first met Williams at Wirral Riding Centre in Neston, Cheshire, when she was 17 and a shared interest in horses soon developed into a close and sexual relationship''.
In the years that followed he accepted he largely'' financially supported Williams as she first worked part-time in a bank and then at Crystal Holidays at Manchester's Chill Factore indoor ski centre.
Williams learned to ski at Chill Factore - where she is said to have met ski instructor Mr Johnston - and a relucant Mr Hardwick, who said he felt too old'' to learn, joined her.
The pair went on to take regular skiing holidays, including a three-month stay in Calgary, Canada, in late 2013.
Other expenses that Mr Hardwick took care of for Williams were life assurance, credit card payments and fuel purchases, the court heard.
Throughout this time Mr Hardwick continued to live with his wife, Rowena, although the jury was told that Williams had asked him to leave her during the early stages of their relationship.
When Williams started working at the Chill Factore about five years ago, Mr Hardwick said a daily routine developed where he would call at her home in Treborth Road, Blacon, at 5am, get into her bed and then later walk her dog before she started her shift.
On January 14, the day Williams allegedly committed the murder, she had left work early, saying she felt unwell.
Mr Hardwick said she appeared normal when he visited her the following morning but noted that she snuggled up'' to him as soon as he got into bed - whichstood out in his mind'' at a time when the relationship had become non-sexual.
Two days later, on January 17, he arrived at the house as normal at 5am but was greeted by police officers, the court heard.
Mr Hardwick fought back tears as he was asked about his reaction to being told she had been arrested on suspicion of murder.
John McDermott QC, prosecuting, said: You were presumably shocked?''
Mr Hardwick replied: Pretty, obviously. I couldn't believe it. I asked them if they had got the right Sarah Williams.''
Williams and riding instructor Katrina Walsh, 56, of Hare Lane, Chester, both deny murder.
Walsh is said to have played a key role in helping her friend to eliminate'' her love rival.