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Murder Trial: Accused labelled 'insecure' over affair fears

Mon, 30 Mar 2015

A Castletown man who's accused of murdering the man his wife was having an affair with says the pair tried to convince him it was "all in his head".

46-year-old Ian Anderson will continue giving evidence at Douglas Courthouse today - he's standing trial for murder.

Last week he told the jury that he believed his wife Alison was having an affair with 60-year-old Neil Roberts who was from Ballabeg.

Anderson, who worked in London during the week, described how he returned home earlier than expected on November 29th 2013 because he was "troubled" and wanted to "resolve the situation".

He packed up his wife's possessions and told her she had two days to leave the house also texting Mr Roberts to ask him to collect her stuff - Mr Roberts replied calling him an "insecure fool".

Later that day, Anderson went to a pub in the town alone - he admitted recalling seeing a message from Mr Roberts telling him he was "mentally unstable" and that he needed to see a doctor.

Anderson then called Mr Roberts and sent him a message asking where he was - this he says was because his wife had told him previously the gardener wanted to meet him.

Via text Mr Roberts told Anderson his "state of mind wasn't right" - Anderson said he believed he was trying to convince him there was nothing going on between the pair. The men didn't meet.

Phone data shows Alison Anderson called Mr Roberts six times that night - she also sent him a text message which said "do not forget I love you. Looking forward to spending my life with you."

Mr Robert's body was found at the Anderson's home in the early hours of December 1st 2013 - Ian Anderson denies murder.

The trial continues. 

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