THE Whitehaven man accused of murdering his partner had earlier apologised for mistreating her in letters he sent from prison, a court heard.

At Carlisle Crown Court, the letters written by 50-year-old Paul Irwin to Tiffany Render while he was on remand for assaulting her last year were read aloud to the jury as part of the prosecution case.

Irwin denies murder and sexual assault.

The prosecution says that he murdered 34-year-old Miss Render on March 22 while she was “trapped in a violent and controlling relationship” with him.

Prosecutor David Traynor took the jury through a series of letters that Irwin wrote to Miss Render in mid-October, when he declared his love for her and said he feared his impending court appearance.

He was due in court for assaulting Miss Render at their flat in the previous July when he attacked her with a wooden rolling pin. One letter began: “Hello babe.

“I hope you get this letter...I really do love you and hope you can feel the same way some time.” He wrote about not being able to sleep or eat the previous Sunday because he feared they were finished.

“I can understand why you hate me,” he said. “I have been [an idiot].  I mean what I say: you are the best thing that has happened to me. I wish you would believe me.

"You have told me a bit of what I have done to you in the flat.

“I am really sorry. It will never happen again. By the sounds of it, I could have really killed you. It will never do anything again. I promise.

"Please believe me.”

He wrote that he expected her to “give him both barrels” and that he deserved it, adding: “Trust me. I will make things better again. It will give me a chance to prove it to you. I don’t know what more to say.”

Referring to the incident in the flat, he said: "I am really sorry for what happened. I can't remember. I must have been having an episode." 

In another letter, Irwin looked forward to him and Miss Render having a “fresh start,”  stating: “We had some good times, didn’t we? Hopefully, [there’ll be] plenty more to come.” Irwin then complained about the food in prison and the daytime TV.

The trial continues.