Stephen Hughes stabbed his son's former girlfriend to death after she spurned his advances, a Leeds Crown Court murder trial heard yesterday.

But Hughes, 47, of Stanley Street, Wakefield, who denies murdering Rachel Barraclough, admitted he lied to police about the night she went missing.

He told the jury he thought he would be a prime suspect as the last person to see her alive.

The body of Rachel, 18, of Carr Bottom Road, Bankfoot, Bradford, was found on wasteland in Wakefield last September.

She had been sexually assaulted and her throat cut.

Barrister Paul Worsley QC, prosecuting, said: "Everything you have said is a pack of lies from start to finish, isn't it? You are the man who got a knife out when you tried it on with her, aren't you?

"Not only did you pull up her bra and stab her repeatedly, you cut her throat didn't you?"

"No sir", replied Hughes.

Mr Worsley said Hughes tricked Rachel into coming to Wakefield by saying he was trying to "smooth things over with Carl" after the couple split up.

"But she would have to do you 'a favour' and show you some affection," said Mr Worsley.

"She wouldn't do it and you took out a knife and threatened her, didn't you? You stabbed her to death and cut her throat, didn't you?"

Hughes denied the allegations in the trial's seventh day yesterday.

Mr Worsley asked Hughes why he did not tell his wife, the police, Carl or Rachel's parents he met the teenager that night.

"Why did you lie to the police about not meeting Rachel?" asked Mr Worsley.

Hughes said: "In the start I just panicked. I could have been the last person to see her alive. And if Carl found out I had met Rachel he would have been annoyed with me and lose his temper."

The trial continues

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