Paula Newman murder trial: Friend urged victim to leave 'obsessive and controlling' boyfriend before fatal attack, court hears

THE friend of a woman allegedly beaten to death by her boyfriend after a row over her Facebook account urged her to leave her partner, the Old Bailey heard today.

Kane Boyce, 34, stands accused of murdering 20-year-old Paula Newman in the early hours of November 12, 2013 at Elmside, in the Fieldway area of New Addington. 

He has admitted her manslaughter, having told police he pushed her causing her to hit her head on a wall after an argument.

He initially said she had jumped out of his car while he was driving, but later changed his story.

The prosecution allege that Boyce murdered Ms Newman in a "violent rage", beating and stamping on her head after he demanded access to her Facebook account.

Boyce was suspicious she was messaging other men online, it was said.

Giving evidence on the second day of the trial today, Stefani Taylor, who knew Ms Newman since childhood, said her friend completely changed during her time with Boyce.

"She went from being bubbly and happy, to being quiet and reserved," she said.

Ms Taylor also said that on several occasions when she was with her friend,  Boyce had called and demanded Ms Newman return home.

"It wasn't like she wanted to go home, it was like she had to go home.

"She said sometimes he didn't bother coming home, he left her sitting there for hours and with nothing to do and no-one to talk to.

"I said 'you don't need to be treated like that', I told her she should leave him."

The also court heard how the pair had exchanged messages via Whatsapp, where Ms Newman said she "feels like crying every day" and that she wanted to leave Boyce.

"I'd say it was a controlling, abusive relationship. She never said he hit her or anything like that, but mental abuse is just as bad."

When questioned by Bobbie Cheema QC, defending Boyce, however, Ms Taylor admitted she had never met Boyce and everything she heard about him had come through communication from Ms Newman.

Another witness, Sarah Burns, told the jury Boyce, whom she had known for 16 years, "had always been polite and respectful".

But on one occasion, she said, Ms Newman confided in her that the couple had been arguing and Boyce threatened to throw her from his car.

Weeks later, Ms Newman died of brain injuries at Croydon University Hospital after the alleged New Addington attack.

Boyce, of Erith, Kent, denies murder. The trial, expected to last around five weeks, continues.