Partner: I didn't plot to kill pawnbroker
The 22-year-old girlfriend of Shropshire pawnbroker George Black, who died after being doused in petrol and set alight, has denied ever agreeing that he should be killed.
Giving evidence in her defence, Sylvia Marie Smith said she had "never agreed" with her lover Robert Field to kill 41-year-old Mr Black.
Smith, also known as Rudy, denies conspiring to murder Mr Black and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
At Worcester Crown Court yesterday Smith broke down in tears as she recalled the attack at Mr Black's home near Craven Arms on December 8 last year.
Smith, of Cherrybrook Close, Hope-under-Dinmore, Leominster, who was six weeks pregnant with Field's child at the time, said she had planned to leave Mr Black.
The court heard the weekend before the attack Mr Black found out about her year-long affair and had made threats towards her and Field.
She claimed she was frightened because of Mr Black's violent reputation and, having lived with him for five years, was aware of the weapons he had at the house.
On the night of the attack Mr Black had answered the door and Field and Gareth Powell came into the house at The Square, Bucknell.
Smith said Field had thrown liquid over Mr Black from just a few feet away and it was ignited.
"It was unbelievably fast. George and me caught fire. I stood up and was screaming. Powell was by the door holding a metal bar. George went into the kitchen," she added.
"My face and arm were on fire. Rob and Powell helped me out from behind the table. I fell over. They managed to get my coat off in the passageway and most of the flames were doused."
Smith said she put her dogs in Powell's Vauxhall Vectra car and she got in the back with them.
She said she called Mr Black's mobile, but the phone was answered by a police officer.
Smith admitted that she had repeatedly lied to police during a series of interviews because she had wanted to protect Field, but she was now telling the truth.
She said she had not expected Field to do what he did and said she had never agreed with him that Mr Black should be killed.
Field, 22, of Etnam Street, Leominster, and 29-year-old Powell, of The Grove, Shobdon, Leominster, deny murdering Mr Black. He suffered 40 per cent burns and died later in hospital.
Smith's mother, Sylvia Jane Smith, 42, and her step-father, Steven Smith, 45, both of Cherrybrook Close, Hope-under-Dinmore, Leominster, deny attempting to pervert the course of justice.
The trial continues.
By Arthur Mills
