Businesswoman knifed to death had stab injuries to spinal column, tongue and liver, a jury has heard
Court told Sadie Hartley frantically tried to defend herself as 'sugar daddy' of murder accused Sarah Williams gives testimony
A BUSINESSWOMAN knifed to death on her doorstep had stab injuries to her spinal column, tongue and liver, a jury has heard.
The horrific extent of the wounds inflicted on Sadie Hartley were laid bare at Preston Crown Court today.
The 60-year-old was found face-down in a pool of blood in the hallway of her £500,000 home in the upmarket village of Helmshore, Lancashire, in January.
She had been incapacitated with a 500,000-volt stun gun and then stabbed more than 40 times after answering her front door, Preston Crown Court heard.
But the mother-of-two also had defensive injuries to both her hands and arms, the jury heard.
Sarah Williams, 35, is alleged to have carried out the murder, to get rid of her love rival.
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She was already a "kept woman" in a relationship with a "sugar daddy" businessman while having an affair with ex-fireman Ian Johnston, 57, Ms Hartley's partner, and the "obsessive and jealous" younger woman wanted her out of the way, it is claimed.
Today, Home Office pathologist Dr Philip Lumb told the jury there were more than 51 injuries in total and there was evidence that the stun gun had been pushed against the left side of Ms Hartley's head.
She also suffered 24 stab wounds and 17 slash wounds to the face, head, neck, chest, back, arms and right leg.
They included wounds to the depth of nearly 8in (20cm) - up to the hilt of the kitchen knife allegedly used by Williams.
Ms Hartley suffered deep stab wounds to her face, one of which went through her face and out the other side, with a similar wound to her neck, which cut a main artery.
Her tongue and spinal column was also cut by the blade and the tip had penetrated her right eye.
There were further injuries to both hands and arms, with the blade going right through her right thumb and right arm, which Dr Lumb said were "typical" defence wounds from fighting off a knife attacker.
He added: "Almost certainly there's been an effort to defend against a knife attack."
One injury to Ms Hartley's back was described as 8in or 20cm deep, which sliced her liver and almost emerged in the front of her chest.
Some of the injuries would have required "considerable force" to inflict, Dr Lumb said.
Earlier the court heard how a married lover of Williams had “no idea” she was pursuing a relationship with another man.
David Hardwick, 75, also said he "could not believe it" when he was informed that she had been arrested on suspicion of murder and told a jury he had never known her to be physically violent.
It is alleged that Williams was obsessed by ex-fireman Ian Johnston and brutally killed his partner, Sadie Hartley, 60, when he refused to leave her.
Mr Hardwick told the court that he was unaware of the affair said to be have been taking place while she was living an affluent lifestyle, largely at his expense.
Previously labelled in court as a "sugar daddy", the semi-retired heating firm boss admitted he paid for a string of holidays - up to 12 a year - as well as giving her £75,000 towards buying a house and paying £320 a week into her bank account by standing order.
But he denied she was "a kept woman" and said he took that suggestion "very offensively".
Mr Hardwick said he first met Williams at Wirral Riding Centre in Neston, Cheshire, when she was 17 and a shared interest in horses soon developed into a "close and sexual relationship".
In the years that followed he accepted he "largely" financially supported Williams as she first worked part-time in a bank and then at Crystal Holidays at Manchester's Chill Factore indoor ski centre.
Williams learned to ski at Chill Factore - where she is said to have met ski instructor Mr Johnston - and a reluctant Mr Hardwick, who said he felt "too old" to learn, joined her.
The pair went on to take regular skiing holidays, including a three-month stay in Calgary, Canada, in late 2013.
Other expenses that Mr Hardwick took care of for Williams were life assurance, credit card payments and fuel purchases, the court heard.
Throughout this time Mr Hardwick continued to live with his wife, Rowena, although the jury was told that Williams had asked him to leave her during the early stages of their relationship.
When Williams started working at the Chill Factore about five years ago, Mr Hardwick said a daily routine developed where he would call at her home in Treborth Road, Blacon, at 5am, get into her bed and then later walk her dog before she started her shift.
On January 14, the day Williams allegedly committed the murder, she had left work early, saying she felt unwell.
Mr Hardwick said she appeared normal when he visited her the following morning but noted that she "snuggled up" to him as soon as he got into bed - which "stood out in his mind" at a time when the relationship had become non-sexual.
Two days later, on January 17, he arrived at the house as normal at 5am but was greeted by police officers, the court heard.
Mr Hardwick fought back tears as he was asked about his reaction to being told she had been arrested on suspicion of murder.
John McDermott QC, prosecuting, said: "You were presumably shocked?"
Mr Hardwick replied: "Pretty, obviously. I couldn't believe it. I asked them if they had got the right Sarah Williams."
Williams and riding instructor Katrina Walsh, 56, of Hare Lane, Chester, both deny murder.
Walsh is said to have played a key role in helping her friend to "eliminate" her love rival.
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