Ex-royal aide murder trial adjourned on health grounds

The murder trial of ex-royal aide Jane Andrews has been adjourned on medical advice.

Old Bailey judge the Recorder of London Michael Hyam told the jury that Andrews, 34, had fainted and was taken to hospital for treatment.

She was found to have a "pre-existing infection" and wanted to continue giving evidence, but her doctors advised against it.

Andrews, a former assistant to the Duchess of York, broke down in the witness box yesterday as she was cross-examined about sexual abuse she suffered as a child.

She is on trial for the murder of her wealthy businessman lover Tom Cressman, 39, who was found stabbed to death in the home they shared in The Maltings, Fulham, west London, on September 17 last year.

The prosecution allege Andrews hit him over the head with a cricket bat and stabbed him in the chest with a kitchen knife in a jealous rage after he refused to marry her.

During three days of evidence she has told the jury he anally raped her and threatened to kill her.

She also claims he fell on the knife she had taken into their bedroom for her own protection.