THE jury has retired in the case of a man accused of attempting to murder his partner by drowning her in the bath.

Richard Evans, 48, denies the attempted murder of his former partner Jane Webster in the bath at his home in Ronkswood Hill, Worcester. The jury at Worcester Crown Court retired at 10.30am today to consider verdicts. During the trial both the complainant and the defendant have given evidence about what happened on July 4 last year. Debbie Heason, a friend of the complainant who found her after the attack, has also given evidence.

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Evans admits assault occasioning actual bodily harm and making threats to kill but denies attempted murder. In her evidence Mrs Webster said she thought she was going to die and said Evans told her: "You're going to die!"

The defendant said: "She started freaking out. She was under the impression she was going to get drowned."

Debbie Heason, a friend of Mrs Webster came to the house after being alerted that the couple's dog was running about in the street and found the complainant soaking wet and half-naked on the landing.

Mrs Heason took her to her own home. The defendant said he wanted her to feel 'emotional anguish and desperation' but did not intend to kill her.

The trial continues.