Sarah accused was ‘panicky and tense’
The man accused of murdering missing mum-of-five Sarah Wellgreen has given evidence for the first time, telling a jury he had nothing to do with her disappearance.
Ben Lacomba, 39, of New Ash Green, spoke from the dock at Woolwich Crown Court as the trial entered its third week. Defence barrister Rebecca Trowler QC asked him: “The jury have heard that you have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Sarah Wellgreen. Are you in any way responsible for the murder of Miss Wellgreen’s disappearance?”
He replied: “I’m in no way responsible for Sarah’s disappearance and I definitely have not killed her.”
Asked when he was first aware Sarah was missing, he replied: “I would say the day I reported her missing on October 11.”
The couple split in 2014 when she met another man on holiday in Turkey. They remained living in the same house but the relationship soured further when the couple began arguing over custody of their children. “Would it be fair to say the situation was acrimonious?” asked Ms Trowler.
“Exactly,” replied Lacomba. On the same day the accused appeared, a witness gave evidence to say he appeared panicky and knew the police were after him. The court heard Lacomba had called Nicholas Morris, the owner of All Night Cars in Dartford, on October 16, and the pair met in the Coffee Pot cafe next to the taxi office to talk about events of the previous week.
Mr Morris said he told Lacomba police were after him. The trial continues.