‘Scared’ ex tells of death threats
An ex-partner of a man accused of murdering his student lover has told jurors their own relationship became "weird and aggressive" and involved violence and death threats.
Aaron Ray is on trial accused of stabbing Jason Brockbanks, who studied at Northumbria University, to death after finding sexual messages with other men on his phone last September.
Mr Brockbanks' body was discovered at private student accommodation Mansion Tyne halls, Howard Street, in Newcastle, three days after he was killed by Ray last September, it is claimed.
Ray, 21, of Mayfield Road, Sunderland, denies the murder of Mr Brockbanks, 24, who was from Whitehaven, Cumbria, and was in his third-year at university.
He is being tried by a jury at Newcastle Crown Court.
Jay Wills-Faisca told detectives during a video-recorded interview, which has been played in court, he started datingRay in early 2021, after they met on Grindr.
Mr Wills-Faisca said when
Ray had a drink he would "sort of like disconnect from himself" and could become abusive and violent.
He said that he and Ray broke up and got back together but "it got weird and aggressive".
MrWills-Faiscasaidduring a meal at a restaurant Ray, who was celebrating his birthday, started drinking and "getting nasty".
He said: "I just made up an excuse I needed to go, a family emergency, just to get out of there."
He added: "Before then, there was one time I was at his, I think I had been at his for a few days, he lived with hi sm am and dad. They were in bed. I was trying to sleep and he was drinking next to me.
"Then, he was calling my mam and family every name under the sun.
"While he was doing that, I was on the phone, so he couldn't see, ordering a taxi, to come and pick me up.
"As soon as he saw me do that he flung my phone and launched himself at me, he threw himself across the room.
"I shouted for his mam and dad. I managed to get him off me.
"He smacked me a few times in the head, nothing to leave a mark.
"His dad got him, I got my suitcase with all my stuff and went downstairs."
Mr Wills-Faisca said he and Ray "properly broke up" in around September 2021, and added: "That's when the real threats started."
He told detectives Ray would turn up at his house at all hours, banging on the door, sending "vile messages" and issuing death threats.
Mr Wills-Faisca said he believed Ray hacked his phone and that he had a drink problem and when asked if he was frightened of him he replied: "Yeah, I was frightened."
The court heard Mr WillsFaisca took out a non-molestation order against Ray.
During cross examination, Ray's barrister Toby Hedworth QC told Mr WillsFaisca, who appeared in court via video link, his allegations were "completely untrue" and added: "He has never raised a finger towards you in terms of personal violence."
Mr Wills-Faisca replied: "I object to that."
Mr Hedworth added: "He has never uttered any threat to you or any member of your family."
Mr Wills-Faisca replied: "I also object to that."
The trial continues.