Trial hears Neomi Smith told friend she was scared to leave boyfriend

A woman allegedly murdered by her boyfriend in Brechin claimed she was scared to leave him, a court heard.

Neomi Smith was said to have made the remark to a friend the night before she died.

The 23 year-old also alleged Keith Rizzo had previously “abused” her.

Jurors further heard claims today Rizzo threatened to put intimate photos of an ex-partner online.

The former farmer denies killing Miss Smith at her flat in Brechin, Angus last June 9.

Miss Smith's friend Kayleigh Cameron today/yesterday told how they had been out at a bar in the town the previous night.

Rizzo had also been at the pub. The High Court in Glasgow previously heard how the 23 year-old appeared “angry” at Miss Smith dancing with another man.

Miss Cameron recalled a number of conversations she had with Miss Smith that night.

The 19 year-old witness said her “upset” friend claimed Rizzo had been “belittling” her.

The young women later chatted again outside the bar.

Miss Cameron told prosecutor Duncan McPhie: “She confided in me that he had abused her...that he had hit her before.

“This was news to me. She said she had been pushed up against a wall and knocked unconscious by him.

“She was scared and wanted to go home, but if she left him, he would hit her again as he had not hesitated to do it before.”

Miss Cameron went on to walk with Miss Smith to her flat in the early hours.

Mr McPhie: “Did you ask her to do something?”

The witness: “I asked her if she was going to be safe. She replied: 'Yes'.

“She told me that she would lock the door and would keep her key in, so he could not use his to gain access.”

Miss Cameron recalled then saying “goodbye” to her friend.

A former partner of Rizzo later alleged he had been “manipulative and controlling” as well as “blackmailing” her.

She had been in a relationship with Rizzo from July 2018 for a number of months.

Mr McPhie asked the 18 year-old: “With regards the blackmailing, what can you tell us?”

The witness replied: “We broke up a few times. Every time we did, he would not stop harassing me on social media.

“When I would not go to see him, he would threaten to post private photos of me over the internet, if I did not talk to him.”

The prosecutor went on: “What was the nature of these pictures?”

The teenager replied: “They were nude.”

Rizzo denies the accusations.

The trial, before Lady Rae, continues.

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