Sex squabble led to uncle’s stabbing

A SHOLVER man was stabbed to death by his niece and her friend because he had slept with her teenage sister, a court heard.

Peter Watt was stabbed in the chest at his brother Michael’s house in Coleridge Road last November.

His niece, Bernadette Watt (29) of Vincent Avenue and John Connolly (39) of Wells Road, both plead not guilty to the murder at Manchester Crown Court.

Watt is alleged to have killed her uncle during a drinking session - and to have told police her uncle “deserved it” as he had slept with her sister Michelle at the age of 16, who died last year aged 27.

The prosecution say Connolly took part in the fatal attack.

The court heard evidence from a neighbour who had been in her home at the time of the attack.

Neighbour Doreen Barnes-Roberts said she heard raised voices and banging from the house next door and was stopped from going round to complain by her husband.

Just before 11pm, through the open window of her bedroom, she heard the voice of a man: “He was on the phone and I thought he might be calling for help. He said he didn’t know whether someone was breathing or not. I thought he might be calling an ambulance.”

She later heard a female voice and something about not phoning the police.

The court heard about a final conversation a few minutes later, between the same woman and John Connolly.

Mrs Barnes-Roberts said: “The female said she would get the blame but he said don’t worry, he would take the blame.”

Mr Watt was found lying on the living room floor. He had been stabbed repeatedly and had bruising and cuts to his face, neck and body.

The kitchen knife alleged to have been used was found in a drawer but fingerprints weren’t recovered from it.

PROCEEDING