A FORMER escort girl who hacked her East Lancashire boyfriend to death with an axe handed him £60,000 in a last-ditch attempt to save the relationship, a court heard .

Jan Charlton, 36, used the money from the sale of her own house as a "last fling" when she realised Danny O'Brien was about to leave her, Leeds Crown Court was told.

Mr O'Brien lived in Holme Terrace, Townsendfold, Rawtenstall, until three years ago.

During Charlton's fifth day in the witness box Paul Worsley QC, prosecuting, put it to her that she hung on to the money until she realised he was going to leave her.

He said: "I suggest you aren't this shrinking violet. You hung on to your money until you realised that this man in April was beginning to lose interest in you."

Charlton replied: "If that's true, the last thing I would do is give him my money."

Mr Worsley added: "I suggest that was the last fling to show this man you would stay with him - 'please don't dump me, Danny'."

Charlton replied: "Absolutely no way at all."

Charlton, 36, moved in with Mr O'Brien late in 2000 after selling her home in Huddersfield for £60,000.

She put the money into a high-interest account, but just weeks before Mr O'Brien's death she handed over the money to him. He put it into an account in his name.

Charlton admits killing Mr O'Brien at the home they shared in Midgley, West Yorkshire, on May 23 last year, but denies murder. She claims lawful self-defence and provocation.

(Proceeding)