In his summing up the judge at Bristol Crown court Mr Justice Wynne-Williams, told the jury it was up to them, having heard the evidence, to decide whether Peter Balcombe was guilty of murder.

The judge said: "If you take the view that the prosecution has proved he intended to kill or cause serious injury and if the prosecution has shown the defendant was not provoked, you should consider a verdict of guilty."

The judge went on to say: "Before you convict this defendant of murder you will have to be satisfied of his guilt."

The judge summarised the evidence the court had heard over the last five and a half days He will complete his summing up tomorrow starting at 10am, before sending out the jury to consider its verdict.