WIFE killer Edward Richardson should be convicted of manslaughter and not murder, his barrister told jurors.

Richardson stabbed his 26-year-old wife Sarah to death in the bedroom at her parents' home in Brown Lees, Stafford Crown Court has heard.

It happened three weeks after the couple separated, Richardson claiming the split was caused by his wife's refusal to give up her desire for cocaine-fuelled sex sessions.

But days after he made her leave the marital home, he realised he wanted her back and went to Brown Lees armed with a knife, intending to kill himself if she refused.

Psychiatrist Dr Stuart Vaggars, who examined Richardson after he killed Sarah in May, concluded he was suffering from a mental illness, an adjustment disorder, at the time of the stabbing.

Richardson, aged 41, of Mayfield Road, Biddulph, denies murder.

Anthony Barker QC, defending, said: "We are dealing with a terribly upset man, who was not himself.

"The mental illness element justifies a verdict of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility."

But Christopher Hotten QC, prosecuting, maintained it was murder. He alleged that Richardson made "careful and calm" plans to break into her parents' house, where he used the knife on her "deliberately and intentionally".

Judge Simon Tonking was sending out the jury today to consider its verdict.