A MAN standing trial for the murder of his wife said he could never care for anyone more than he did her.

Wilfred Jacob told Chelmsford Crown Court every day with his wife, Linda, was a blessing.

And he added: “I made sure she was spoilt rotten, every time she saw something she liked I made sure I got it for her.”

Jacob, 44, is standing trial after being charged with the murder of Linda Vilika at their home in The Street, Great Saling, a charge he denies.

Police and paramedics found Ms Vilika, 41, unresponsive in the couple’s living room on August 19, 2019. She had been stabbed twice in the back with a 20cm carving knife.

At the opening of the defence case yesterday, the court heard about how Jacob and Linda’s relationship.

Jacob told the court: “It was an impulse decision to get married.

“Linda had lost her mum and I was struggling with my mum’s health so I made a decision to marry her because she stood by me through the most difficult times in my life.

“When I had health problems she would work extra hard to ensure I could work reduced hours, that was just one caring side of her.

“I could never care for anyone more than I did Linda. Every day was a blessing.”

Jacob claims he suffered an epileptic aura at the time of Linda’s death and said he could not remember any of the details.

But Andrew Jackson, prosecuting, told the jury there was no scientific evidence to back his claim and he had not suffered an epileptic episode since 2010.

Mr Jackson claims Jacob became obsessed with the thought Linda was seeing another man.

He told the jury: “The defendant had become consumed with jealousy believing she was seeing other men.

“He bombarded her with unpleasant messages.”

The court was shown a series of heated Whatsapp messages between the couple in the days before her death.

Jacob said: “I have always said I should have been the bigger man and stepped back, I am mortified, disgusted with my behaviour.”

The trial continues.