Little Mix obsessed man accused of murdering barmaid claims he ‘dated fashion models’

THE ex-bookkeeper accused of raping and murdering barmaid India Chipchase has told a jury he is "very successful" with women.

Edward Tenniswood, 52, has admitted accidentally strangling the 20-year-old to death when they were engaged in "mildly kinky" sex - but denies murder.

Today he told Birmingham Crown Court he had once dated a fashion model - and had a string of "attractive" ex-girlfriends.

On his second day giving evidence, Tenniswood, said he kept a collection of magazine clippings of girl bands in his Northampton home - including girl band Little Mix.

Prosecutor Chris Donnellan QC asked him: "What are they showing? They are showing females, very pretty ones."

I have had some extremely attractive ex girlfriends, is that a crime?

Edward TenniswoodMurder accused

Tenniswood replied: "Yes, I haven't had an immensely successful life, but I'm lucky enough to have had some very attractive girlfriends, one of whom was a very successful fashion model actually.

"I have had some extremely attractive ex girlfriends, is that a crime?"

When asked about another picture of "young females" in a magazine in his home, Tenniswood said: "That's Little Mix. I'm probably going to get sued by Little Mix now.

"Because I'm familiar with photographic styles and been out with fashion models.

"If you want to say they are attractive then yes, yes they are attractive. Although they are actually quite plain, but the photographer did a fantastic job of it."

India met Tenniswood after a night out at NB's nightclub in Northampton town centre.

He had previously told the jury he bumped into India and had promised her "Don't worry, I'll get you home safe" after she had approached him in the street.

He said: "The point is I'm so inquisitive anyone would have caught my attention outside if they said 'Have you been kicked out too?' It could have been John Major."

Mr Donnellan said: "You were interested in India, a young female."

Tenniswood said: "I'm one of the most inquisitive people anyone in here will ever have met.

"I'm just interested in most of the world. Wikipedia is a gift from the Gods for me."

Mr Donnellan said: "The gift from the Gods in front of you at the moment on that screen is a young and pretty girl."
Tenniswood said: "I was just focusing on getting alcohol at the time."

Mr Donnellan said: "You saw a pretty young girl and you were interested in her as a heterosexual male."
Tenniswood said: "That is incredibly far fetched."

Mr Donnellan asked: "You have got a 20-year-old drunk girl in a taxi, what are you going to do when you get back to your flat?"
Tenniswod said: "I hadn't actually thought forensically what I'm going to do. I wanted to get home, have a drink. She was a drinking companion."

Mr Donnellan said: "You did not mention to the taxi driver Stanley Road, you did not mention number six, and you said to be dropped off some distance from [Tenniswood's address].

"You did that so the taxi driver would not know where you were going with that girl."

Tenniswood said: "I refute that allegation entirely."

Referring to when Tenniswood claims he had sex with India, Mr Donnellan asked:

"When you strangled her, did she pass out?"

Tenniswood said: "On the second occasion, because she removed her hands, obviously in my over-eagerness to please her I sustained the pressure for just too long.

"No disrespect to her I was unguided and inexpert at what I considered a mildly kinky, sexual practice.

"Through sheer inexperience and incompetence I kept the pressure on too long or too firmly, or both, and in retrospect that caused her death."

Mr Donnellan then asked how Tenniswood re-clothed India, when he believed she was in a coma.

Mr Donnellan said: "How did you do her bra up? You lifted her up to do the strap up? How did you do that?"

Tenniswood said: "She was floppy, as I expected her to be if she was in this semi-comatose state.

"I thought if she was dead she would be stiff, but she was extremely flexible."

Mr Donnellan said: "What colour was she?"

Tenniswood said: "Ah yes. It was the paleness of her skin that would be the reason why I was thinking this really isn't quite right.

"That she must be pretty out of it."

Mr Donnellan said: "In order to have sex with her you only had to take her trousers off.

"You were trying to take them off when you were on your knees and she was unconscious and she strangled you and you managed to get her trousers off and you raped her.

"That's how you got those scratches on your neck."

Tenniswood said: "No. No. 101 per cent no."

Mr Justice John Saunders said: "Why did you put all her clothes back on? What would have been embarrassing about her not having a gilet on?"

Tenniswood said: "It was just because she probably would have been disoriented."

Asked about when he left the house for some "fresh air" after killing India,

He added: "I wish I had left a note that said 'India darling, I will be back in 20 minutes, love Eddie.'"

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