Fiona Beal: teacher was mentally ‘broken’ when she killed her partner, trial hears

Defence claims Beal had been in a coercive relationship with Nicholas Billingham, who she stabbed and buried in back garden

A primary school teacher on trial accused of the murder of her long-term partner was mentally broken" by the time of the killing, after being subjected to coercive behaviour, her barrister has claimed.

Defence KC Andrew Wheeler told Northampton crown court there was no dispute that Fiona Beal unlawfully killed Nicholas Billingham, whose body was found buried in the back garden of their home in March last year.