Husband of 'horse-whisperer', 70, 'split her face open with a riding crop and ... trends now
The husband of a 'horse whisperer' split her face open with a riding crop and pushed her through a window before she murdered him, a court heard today.
Christine Rawle, 70, is accused of killing Ian Rawle, 72, at their home in Braunton, Devon, on August 21, 2022 - but claims she was a victim of his cruel behaviour.
She denies murdering Ian at their home when she allegedly stabbed him in the back with a knife as he pushed a wheelbarrow of horse manure to a dung heap.
Today, their youngest son Thomas Rawle, 38, told Exeter Crown Court about his parents, saying that Ian hit Christine with a riding crop, 'splitting her face open'.
He added that Ian – whom he called 'dad', but was not his birth father - pushed Christine through a window at their home when he was 'angry and salivating'.
Thomas said that Ian was also once 'ranting and raving' and used a fire glove to pick up a hot ash tray then threw it at him, striking his leg and leaving a severe burn.
Christine Rawle (pictured), 70, is accused of killing Ian Rawle, 72, at their home in Devon
Ian Rawle (pictured) died at their home in Devon after the alleged stabbing on August 21, 2022
He said Christine came into the room to protect him but Ian blocked her way and punched her in the side of her face. He said Ian screamed at him that he was 'bone idle, lazy and an idiot' and Christine went into a walk-in wardrobe to call the police.
But he said Ian pulled out the phone from the wall and they punched and kicked each other, before Ian grabbed her by the hair with Thomas 'begging them to stop'.
The court heard Christine then stabbed Ian in the arm, but Thomas did not see that happen. He was forced to go to hospital with Ian, but he ordered him not to tell staff what had happened to him or Thomas, the court was also told.
Thomas also told the court that his father kicked his mother in her bad leg while
