A MAN accused of the murder of his estranged wife has told a court he feels ‘broken and ashamed’ after tearfully admitting responsibility for her death.

Shaun Dyson, 28, is accused of the murder of Lucy-Anne Rushton in the early hours of June 23 by repeatedly jumping or stamping on her at their home in Suffolk Road while children were at the property.

He denies the murder of the 30-year-old but has entered a plea of guilty to her manslaughter.

Asked by his barrister, Sarah Jones QC, how he felt following her death, Dyson said: "I feel broken, ashamed, devastated for Lucy, heartbroken for our family. It's been six months and it doesn't feel real."

Dyson said he had known Lucy since the pair were at school together.

The couple got married in 2010, after eloping to Gretna Green, and Dyson admitted the relationship “had always had its ups and downs” before they eventually split in January.

Dyson told Winchester Crown Court this week that he had been to a pub in the afternoon with Lucy before they had a drink together in her garden.

He said the mood turned violent between them after they drove to a supermarket but he failed to enter the store before it closed because he had stopped to talk to some friends.

Dyson said Lucy slapped him and also pulled on the steering wheel and handbrake while he was driving.

He said when he stopped the car he "threw the key into Lucy's head" and swore at her while children in the car were getting upset.

Simon Jones, prosecuting, has previously told the jury that the couple's relationship was "toxic" and there was a "history of domestic violence".

The trial on the charge of murder, now into its third week, continues.