A BUSINESSMAN known as "the silver fox" told a court how he urged his lover to join him for a romantic weekend just hours after murdering his wife.
Anita Anderson was killed on the day she bought herself a dress in anticipation of accompanying her husband, Malcolm (54), to a Christmas party.
She had no idea he had pledged his future to colleague Claire Jackson (26) after a night of passion du
ring a business trip.
A court heard how Anderson was so desperate to be with Miss Jackson he plotted with another workmate, John Height, to "get rid" of his wife.
Mrs Anderson was beaten, stabbed and thrown into a river – possibly while still alive – where her body was later found trapped under a tractor tyre.
Anderson, of The Mill, Kirton, Lincolnshire, admits murdering her last December, but Height (38), of Driffield Way, Woodston, Peterborough, denies the charge.
Yesterday, Anderson, giving evidence at Height's trial, told how he called his lover just 40 minutes after his wife met her grisly death.
He said he suggested they go away for the weekend, adding: "I told her it would be a nice time to get away from people and just be together."
Anderson – who Miss Jackson called "the silver fox" – said that when she declined his offer he asked her: "Where's your sense of adventure?"
A jury heard that the couple, who both worked at the Norfolkline haulage company's depot in Whittlesey, first embarked on an affair in early 2006.
Heartbroken Mrs Anderson (52) split from her husband after discovering the relationship when she found an intimate text message on his phone.
He duly assured Miss Jackson he would be getting a divorce and wanted to start a new life with her – only to later be reconciled with his wife.
But Nottingham Crown Court was told that in November last year the lovers rekindled their affair during a work seminar involving an overnight hotel stay.
Anderson again promised to leave his wife – even though they were due to renew their marriage vows during a luxury cruise the following January.
He allegedly discussed his dilemma with Height, a mechanic at the depot, telling him in the works canteen: "I wish there was a way of getting rid of her."
Height is said to have boasted he knew people who could make the murder appear like a suicide or an accident for a payment of £20,000.
The trial continues.
The full article contains 414 words and appears in Peterborough ET newspaper.
