A TEENAGE lesbian wrote a series of love letters to her partner in the days before she murdered her in a jealous rage, a jury was told.

In them, Louise Berry, 19, begged partner Mandy Burton, who she lived with in Moorgate Street, Blackburn, for another chance and then paid her compliments after an apparent reconciliation, Preston Crown Court heard.

There were no dates on the letters but they may have been written after an incident where Berry dialled 999 to say she needed help because she wanted to kill her girlfriend.

Berry made that tearful call on August 6, 2002, because she believed Mrs Burton was having an affair with a man.

One letter read: "Dear Mandy, I want you to take me back. I love you with all my heart. Please take me back ... You are my sweetheart. I need and love you, love Louise."

Another read: "I wouldn't have killed you, please forgive me." Another said: "Thank you for taking me back. I am so very proud you are mine."

Berry denies murder and claims she found Mrs Burton, 30, with her skull smashed on the settee of their home at 9.20pm on August 11 2002.

Mrs Burton, a divorced mother of two, died three days later from her injuries.

Dr Naomi Carter, carried out a post mortem examination on August 15 2002, and described the full extent of Mrs Burton's injuries:

Three blows to the right and back of the head with a blunt weapon which smashed the skull and sent fragments into the brain, badly bruising it.

A broken finger, probably sustained in self defence.

A bruise on her arm from the weapon.

More than 20 bruises but Dr Carter could not say whether these were caused by an assault, Mrs Burton being moved while in hospital or before an attack had taken place.

The jury also heard from DC Paul Harwood who interviewed Berry 11 times between August 12 and 22, 2002.

These showed how Berry changed her story from saying she had not seen Mrs Burton since 8.30am on August 11, to admitting she had been with her in the early evening.

Berry said: "The only reason I didn't mention this was because I was frightened that people thought it was me."

She claimed in the interview that she had left Mrs Burton at their house with friend Stephen Champ at 7pm. Berry also told police she thought Mr Champ had carried out the attack but she was unable to say why he would have done that.

Mr Champ, giving evidence earlier this week, said he had left Berry and Mrs Burton together at about 8.30pm.

Mr Graham Morrow QC, then announced the prosecution case had finished.

(Proceeding)