Wooburn murder trial: Husband accused of 'strangling' wife before (From Bucks Free Press)

Wooburn murder trial: McGrory accused of 'strangling' wife before

6:25pm Friday 6th July 2012 in Crime By Lawrence Dunhill

A HUSBAND who allegedly strangled his wife to death with a dog lead had been accused of strangling her before, a court heard today.

Marie McGrory, 39, had made a statement to police in 2005 accusing husband John of grabbing her throat on three separate occasions, Reading Crown Court was told.

But the court heard the claims were "highly contentious" and the ex-army serviceman denied the allegations at the time.

Refering to the main alleged incident, McGrory had told police there was a row and she “went for me”. He said he restrained his wife to protect himself and "at no time did I assault her", jurors heard.

The 46-year-old, of Holtspur Avenue, Wooburn Green, was never charged or prosecuted in relation to the allegations, the court was told.

On the morning of January 3 this year the pair got into an argument after Marie returned home from seeing another man in Scotland.

The row ended with McGrory strangling her with a dog lead, though he told police he could not recall this when arrested, the court heard.

The former Scots Guard denies murder, though his lawyers have already indicated he admits manslaughter, jurors heard. The trial continues.