Husband told wife to swallow wedding ring before fatal beating, court hears

Shaun Dyson killed Lucy-Anne Rushton by repeatedly stamping or jumping on her at her home in Andover, a court heard. Photo / Supplied

Warning: Graphic content

A "jealous and violent" man told his estranged wife to swallow her wedding ring before beating her to death in a "brutal" attack, a court has heard.

Shaun Dyson, 28, is accused of the murder of Lucy-Anne Rushton, 30, in the early hours of June 23 by repeatedly jumping or stamping on her at their home in Andover, Hampshire on the southern coast of England.

Their children were in the house at the time, according to a report published in The Sun.

Dyson admits Rushton's manslaughter but denies her murder.

Prosecutor Simon Jones told Winchester Crown Court the pair had married in 2010 having eloped to Gretna Green but Rushton became the victim of a "history of domestic violence".

"The defendant's and Lucy's relationship is probably best described as toxic," Mr Jones said.

"Lucy was killed by the defendant; she was the victim of a prolonged and very severe beating, culminating in repeated stamping or jumping or both on her chest and while she was laid on her back.

The couple's marriage quickly deteriorated, with Ms Rushton being subject to frequent bouts of domestic violence, the court heard. Photo / Supplied

"There was no justification for blow after blow, kick after kick, stamp after stamp on Lucy. This was borne out of a jealous rage in a violent man."

Jones said Dyson, who had already hit Rushton on the evening before she died, had become "enraged" by a phone call she received from a former lover late on June 22, reports news.com.au.

He said a child witness had seen the defendant say to Rushton in the early hours of June 23: "Swallow the ring because we are not together any more".

He added the witness said Rushton had put the ring in her mouth but had not swallowed it because they had seen it on the stairs later, where it was found.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - DO YOU NEED HELP?

If it's an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

If you're in danger now:

• Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours of friends to ring for you.

• Run outside and head for where there are other people.

• Scream for help so that your neighbours can hear you.

• Take the children with you.

• Don't stop to get anything else.

• If you are being abused, remember it's not your fault. Violence is never okay

Where to go for help or more information:

• Women's Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 - 0800 refuge or 0800 733 843

www.womensrefuge.org.nz

• Shine, free national helpline 9am- 11pm every day - 0508 744 633

www.2shine.org.nz

• It's Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450

www.areyouok.org.nz

• Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and middle eastern women and their children. Crisis line 24/7 0800 742 584

• Ministry of Justice:

www.justice.govt.nz/family-justice/domestic-violence

• National Network of Stopping Violence:

www.nnsvs.org.nz

• White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate men's violence towards women, focusing this year on sexual violence and the issue of consent.

www.whiteribbon.org.nz

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