HAYLEY MURDER TRIAL: PREGNANT Hayley Richards was killed by her jealous boyfriend days after she told police he had tried to strangle her.

Miss Richards went to the police on June 5, six days before he slit her throat, and told them she was petrified' after Hugo Quintas attacked and threatened to kill her.

On Tuesday a statement was read to Bristol Crown Court in which the 23-year-old said Quintas had arrived at her flat in Trowbridge in the afternoon and shouted at her to hand over the £60 they had been saving for their unborn baby.

She said when she refused he tried to punch her before grabbing her by the neck. Prosecutor Ian Fenny quoted from the statement she made to police, reading out: "I was petrified. He said give me my money tomorrow or I'll kill you'. "I was completely frightened. He held onto my voice box so I couldn't talk, breathe or scream. I was concerned about my baby and didn't want him to punch me in the stomach.

"He will go mad when he knows I called the police. I don't think he will leave me alone." The court heard an argument had erupted that morning after Miss Richards asked her boyfriend to take out the rubbish and he refused.

When he returned to the flat later that day she said he woke her from a nap by shouting about the baby money. She told police: "I was woken up by him shouting in a loud and aggressive manner. I was shocked.

"I said the money was at my mum's. I didn't want to give it to him as I thought it might be the only money I would get from him for the baby. "He said you're going to go round and get it or you'll be sorry'."

She said he then started to pack his bags and as he was at the top of the stairs he pushed her up against the wall with the flat of his hand and tried to punch her. As she bent down to pick up the bags she said Quintas grabbed her by the neck and pushed her against the stairs. When he finally left, Miss Richards called the police and was taken to Trowbridge Hospital.

In evidence read to the court nurse Mary Brown, who examined Miss Richards said she had sustained two scratches to her neck and throat and a bruise on her hip, but had no finger marks on her neck.

Quintas, of Seymour Court, denies murdering Miss Richards but admits manslaughter on the grounds of provocation. He has pleaded guilty to the assault on June 5.

Mark Evans QC, prosecuting, told the court the former Bowyers worker originally told police he killed Miss Richards unintentionally during a struggle.