Jurors set out to consider verdicts in the trial of a man accused of murdering his partner.

Adam Barnard denies the murder and murder of 33-year-old mother-of-two Tara Kershaw at their home on Princes Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, on January 19, 2024.

The 41-year-old man had previously told Norwich Crown Court that “he pinned her down with her arms across her chest” and the next thing she knew “he had his hands around her neck”.

He claimed he tried to defend himself after waking up in bed to find the woman beating him and hitting him on the head with a lamp.

An autopsy found the mother-of-two’s death was consistent with neck compression and there was evidence of other neck injuries from the previous weeks.

Mr Barnard met Ms Kershaw at a Karaoke bar in June 2023 and the pair became engaged a few months later, the jury heard.

He said they both had problems with alcohol and claimed Ms Kershaw’s “nasty side” came out when she drank.

The court heard Mr Barnard was arrested the day before Ms Kershaw died after claiming he had been violent towards her and suffered a cracked lip as a result.

He said the engagement was called off that day and he “wanted the ring back” and denied any violence towards Ms Kershaw.

Mr Barnard surrendered to police the day after Ms Kershaw died at her home on January 19.

The jury is still out on its verdict.