A couple's turbulent relationship came to a devastating end with a gruesome murder in a house fire, a court heard.

Victoria Barker, 30, was found dead in the burnt out remains of her living room at her County Durham home after a blaze was deliberately started by John Collings, 46.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the couple's violent relationship had been blighted with alcohol problems and suicide attempts on both sides.

York University graduate Miss Barker had turned to drink after becoming involved in a previous violent relationship and had lost her job with The National Rivers Authority as a result.

The court heard that the troubled affair was brought to a dramatic climax with a fire at the home they shared on August 12 2000.

Prosecutor Toby Hedworth QC said: "Shortly before 11 o'clock in the morning residents in Coquet Gardens, South Stanley, became aware there was a fire in a downstairs flat in the street.

"That flat was occupied by a couple, Victoria Barker and defendant John Collings.

"The smoke alarm was sounding, smoke was billowing out of the front door and John Collings was standing outside wearing only his boxer shorts."

Collings and a police officer at the scene made efforts to rescue Miss Barker but were beaten back by smoke.

The fire was initially thought to be a tragic accident before it was revealed that Collings' many versions of events did not "stack up" with the physical evidence.

And a chilling telephone call said to have been made by Collings to a former boyfriend of Miss Barker warned he would get a "surprise" that day.

He told a police officer at the scene of the fire that he had been in bed when he heard the smoke alarm sounding and had fought in vain to get into the sitting room.

And in a written statement to the police he said a small fire had broken out next to Miss Barker and she had then "simply burst into flames".

None of the accounts given by Collings, who had already been drinking alcohol when the fire broke out, were consistent with evidence found at the scene.

Scientific findings indicated that Miss Barker, who had a dangerously high level of alcohol in her system at the time of her death, was placed on top of the fire after it was started, probably on a cushion in front of the sofa.

Collings, who was living at Dean Street, Hexham, Northumberland, at the time of his arrest, denies murder and the trial continues.