THE jury in the trial of a former Blackburn detective accused of trying to kill his wife after discovering she was having an affair must be convinced he intended to do it if they were to convict him of attempted murder, a judge told a court.
DC Hugh Needham, 42, stabbed wife Laura in the stomach after discovering she had renewed a relationship with a teenage sweetheart.
The trained chef allegedly selected a specialist eight-inch bladed boning knife and then went looking for her.
It is claimed he could not cope with their 13-year relationship hitting the rocks.
But Blackburn-born Needham has told Inner London Crown Court how 37-year-old Laura had agreed to give their marriage another go.
He insisted the "accident" occurred after he slipped on the living room carpet and fell forward with the blade in his hand.
Summing up Judge Jonathan van der Werff said they had to be sure Needham "wanted and intended" to kill his wife to convict him of attempted murder.
The jury is due to retire to consider its verdict today.
(Proceeding)
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