Court told that murder suspect was terrified of cousin

A man on trial for allegedly killing his cousin with an axe reportedly caused her to feel "terrified" after an incident during a car journey, a court has been told.

Donald Excell, 49, faces charges of murdering 58-year-old Rita Lambourne at her home in Bexhill, East Sussex, on 12 February. During proceedings at Hove Crown Court, Ms Lambourne's daughter, Kerry, described how her mother's fear escalated when Mr Excells behavior suddenly changed while she was giving him a lift.

Kerry Lambourne told the jury that Mr Excell's "tone changed" and that he accused her mother of "all sorts of terrible things that were untrue," before striking the side of the car. Excell, who resides on Seabourne Road in Bexhill, denies both murder and possessing a bladed weapon.

The witness said her mother and Mr Excell frequently argued, and the confrontation in the car was just one example. Her mother reportedly felt frightened, expressed her desire to cut ties with him, and later returned to Kerry visibly upset, noting damage to her vehicle.

Earlier, Teresa Atkins, a cousin of both the defendant and the victim, told the court that Mr Excell had previously clashed with Ms Lambourne. When asked whether Excell had shared his feelings about her, she replied: "He loved her, he hated her. He was angry with her."

A statement from Ms Lambourne's friend, Tracey Bull, who saw her the afternoon before her death, was also presented. Ms Bull described the victim as a "lovely person" who would go out of her way to help others.

The trial is ongoing.

Author: Sophia Brooks