A murder suspect described the killer of a Newsome father-of-three as a “Jekyll and Hyde” character.
Nicola Bedford was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the brutal murder of former licensee Martin Ackroyd, but during a series of police interviews she denied playing any part in his death.
A jury has heard that 49-year-old Surjit Singh Sidhu, of New Hey Road, Oakes, has already admitted murdering the 50-year-old at his flat in Ashenhurst Rise, but the prosecution has alleged that 30-year-old Bedford was also involved in the crime.
Although Bedford associated with Sidhu and other men she told police: ”I can’t stand the man. He’s evil and he deserves to rot in Hell.”
Bedford, who was badly hurt after she jumping from a viaduct a few years ago, told the investigating officers that she was physically incapable of being involved in the killing because of her spinal injuries and she maintained that she loved Mr Ackroyd.
Bradford Crown Court has heard how Mr Ackroyd was attacked in April after he allegedly told Sidhu that he was planning to move away with Bedford and use compensation money from a previous assault to get a pub.
Bedford told the officers that Sidhu had “switched” and started attacking Mr Ackroyd.
“I don’t know what switched him...he’s a nasty piece of work. He’s a Jekyll and Hyde,” she said.
Bedford rejected suggestions from the officers that she had been taking advantage of Mr Ackroyd and that she was “playing him off” against other male friends.
She also denied that Mr Ackroyd had become fed up with her and wanted her to take her stuff out of his home.
Bedford claimed that Sidhu throttled her after his attack on Mr Ackroyd and she told police that she thought she would be next.
Bedford, of Blackers Court, Thornhill Lees, Dewsbury, has denied murdering Mr Ackroyd.
The trial continues.
