THE house where an East Lancashire businessman was killed with an axe by his lover following a kinky sex session is to be sold.

Danny O'Brien's home in Midgely, West Yorkshire, will be placed on the market by his heartbroken mother Elizabeth once she has emptied the mansion of furniture, which is also up for sale.

Mr O'Brien, who owned a business in Rossendale and lived in Holme Terrace, Rawtenstall, until three years ago, received up to 20 axe blows to his head and upper body following an argument with lover and former escort Jan Charlton, 36.

Elizabeth O'Brien said she will sell the house because she cannot bear to think about what happened there and because of the horrific memories it brings flooding back.

She has not had the house valued and said it is estimated to be worth £300,000.

She said: "Once I have sold the furniture, I will think about selling the house. I want to get rid of it as soon as possible because there are just too many memories."

Mrs O'Brien said: "The appeal will not be pleasant, but there is nothing I can do."

Mr O'Brien, 41, was found with an axe embedded in his head in the master bedroom of the property. He was naked, face down and had been hit at least 20 times. Charlton admitted killing her lover, but denied it was murder.

In May, Charlton was given a five-year jail sentence after being convicted of manslaughter at Leeds Crown Court on the grounds of provocation. She is to appeal against her sentence.

The jury had rejected a plea of self defence after Charlton claimed that Mr O'Brien had threatened to sexually assault and kill both herself and her four-year-old daughter, Amy.