Alleged murderer Haydn John Sansbury stands trial in the Supreme Court

A murder accused “went too far” when he introduced a knife to a fist fight sparked by a jealousy-laden love triangle, a Supreme Court jury has been told.

A murder accused plunged a knife 17 cm into the back of another man who arrived at his house wanting a fight sparked by a love triangle, a court has heard.

Haydn John Sansbury, 36, of Salisbury Plains, is standing trial in the Supreme Court, charged with the murder of Nigel Lawrie, and causing serious harm to Mr Lawrie’s partner, Danielle Smith, on February 5, 2019.

Opening the trial on Thursday, Prosecutor Patrick Mulvihill told the jury Mr Lawrie and Ms Smith had gone to Mr Sansbury’s Elizabeth Grove house “wanting to have a fight” with Eric Newchurch.

He said Mr Newchurch was Ms Smith’s former partner, and the brother of Mr Sansbury’s partner, Susan Newchurch. He told the jury Ms Smith had a “divided loyalty” between Mr Lawrie and Mr Newchurch amid a tense, and jealousy-laden relationship triangle.

“Indeed, she sought attention from both of the men at times, and according to others, would play them off against one another,” Mr Mulvihill said.

“On and off, for quite a while, there had been hostility brewing between Nigel Lawrie and Eric Newchurch.”

Haydn John Sansbury leaves the Supreme Court with a supporter.

He said Mr Lawrie had been released from prison a day earlier to attend a funeral, and reunited with Ms Smith. Mr Mulvihill said Ms Smith and Mr Newchurch had been sending each other insulting, unpleasant and crude phone messages, which escalated into threats. As a result, he said Ms Smith and Mr Lawrie went to Mr Sansbury’s house “seeking a violent confrontation” with Mr Newchurch.

“They both got far more than what they bargained for when the accused introduced a knife into the fight,” he said.

Mr Mulvihill said a fist fight broke out between Mr Newchurch and Mr Lawrie, which ended when Ms Newchurch struck Mr Lawrie with a leather slapjack. The jury was told that as he was backing away, Mr Sansbury – who was already holding a wooden paddle – had gone inside to retrieve a kitchen knife which he then plunged into Mr Lawrie’s back.

“That single knife wound was found to be the cause of his death,” he said.

Mr Mulvihill said while the two women were also fighting, Mr Sansbury then stabbed, clubbed and stomped on Ms Smith.

“He was angry and he went too far,” Mr Mulvihill said.

The trial, before a jury of 14, is continuing.

Originally published as Alleged murderer Haydn John Sansbury stands trial in the Supreme Court