Court told accused said she would lie

According to Donna Byrne, a custody officer at Worcester Crown Court, Sylvia Marie Smith, 22, of Cherrybrook Close, Hope-under-Dinmore, Leominster, said she would have to lie because she had to think of her child and herself.

The jury was told yesterday that in a conversation that took place between court sittings last week, Smith made the comments to her lover Robert Field, 22.

He is said to have replied that he also had children to think about.

Smith said their mothers could look after them.

Their co-defendant, Gareth Powell, 29, then said: "If we are convicted, we'll be doing 20 years and you will be dragged into it as well."

Field, of Etnam Street, Leominster, and Powell of The Grove, Shobdon, Leominster, have both denied murdering Smith's long-term partner, George Black, 41, by pouring petrol and kerosene over him and setting it alight at his home in Bucknell.

Smith has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to murder and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Ms Byrne said she had reported the conversation to Field's lawyers, after an inquiry was made concerning whether Powell or Field had threatened Smith.

Mr Alan Conrad QC, representing Smith, said: "What I suggest happened was, it was called up to her that 'If we go down, we're taking you with us'."

Ms Byrne said this was not the case.

The court had previously heard that Smith had been about six weeks pregnant at the time of the attack on Mr Black on December 8 last year.

She believed Field was the baby's father.

The pair discussed whether to keep the baby and setting up home once "he's gone".

Field said this was a reference to Mr Black, who had been intending to move to Portugal.

Smith's mother, Sylvia Jane Smith, 42, and her stepfather, Steven Smith, 45, both of Cherrybrook Close, have denied attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The case continues.

By Hannah Costigan at Worcester Crown Court