A murder jury have been discharged after failing to agree whether a man deliberately killed his wife during a kinky sex game.
Norman Heaton, 42, strangled mother-of-three Jacqueline Heaton, 32, before hiding her lifeless body under the stairs at their home in Anderson Street, South Shields.
Heaton told police that they had been playing an asphyxiation game but that the neck grip had been too tight and accidentally killed her.
The prosecution claimed Heaton purposely strangled his wife but after almost 10 hours deliberation the jury of ten men and two women failed to decide.
Mr Justice Pitchers discharged the jury from further considerations and the case will be back before Newcastle Crown Court in seven days to decide if Heaton will face a re-trial.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article