A MOTHER described yesterday how her daughter's killer had a Jekyll and Hyde character and was jealous and possessive.

Diane Richardson told Teesside Crown Court that Michael Luke would constantly phone his wife, Johanna, criticise what she wore and become moody when she talked to other men.

The mother-of-three said her 37-year-old daughter's marriage to Luke was volatile and had worsened in the years before her death.

Luke, 45, who has been married twice before, admitted killing his wife on Sunday, August 28, last year, at the marital home, in Priory Gardens, Willington, but has pleaded not guilty to murder.

Mrs Richardson told the court: "He was a Jekyll and Hyde character.

"You could never really work him out because he was a moody person. Right from the beginning, the marriage was volatile, but they did obviously have some happy times as well. He was always very jealous and possessive."

Mrs Richardson said her daughter's marriage had been over for six years, but that she always tried again when Luke begged her for another chance.

The court heard the couple would have blazing rows.

Mrs Richardson said: "He would not give her any space. He was always on her back and in her face."

Mrs Richardson said that on one occasion, the couple's ten-year-old son, Kieron, was hysterical when he called her from a mobile after he hid in a cupboard during one of the rows.

Under cross-examination by defence barrister Franz Muller, QC, it was revealed Johanna had had an affair with a man called Roy, became pregnant and had had an abortion.

Mrs Richardson said Luke did not know about the infidelity. She said: "He could not be jealous about that because he did not know about it."

Minutes before the killing, Luke had discovered his wife was having an affair with paramedic Mark Cole.

He later told police he could not remember attacking his wife with a paving hammer.

The jury will decide if Luke is guilty of murder. If found not guilty, he will be sentenced for manslaughter.

The trial continues.