Victim was happy moments before horror

A young mother allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend was described to a jury as being "happy", "bubbly" and "confident" by police officers who saw her moments before her death.

Natalie James, aged 23, died of a knife wound at her home in Kings Road, Rushall, on August 7 last year.

Pc Craig Barnett and Pc Gemma Taylor, from Walsall police station, responded to reports of a burglary at the address in the early hours of the morning, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard yesterday.

Miss James' ex-partner Carl Truffas, aged 33, of Kendall Court, Walsall Wood, is accused of smashing up her home when she was out and returning to kill her.

The officers told the jury that when they arrived at the address following reports of the burglary, they discovered a smashed window and bloodstained roller blind on the back door, as well as scattered glass and a brick on the kitchen floor.

A damaged flat-screen TV was laying face-up on the floor of the lounge.

Pc Barnett said Miss James made references that her ex-boyfriend had committed the damage but also said she had seemed "happy" throughout their visit.

He said she had spoken about sending a vaguely flirtatious text intended for a male friend to Truffas hours before. Giving evidence, Pc Barnett said: "It came across like she meant to send the text message. She was quite cocky."

Pc Taylor, who took a statement from Miss James, added: "She certainly didn't seem overly concerned or worried. She was very confident, a bubbly person, happy to stand there and speak."

The court heard that the officers left the flat at about 3.35am and were called to another incident. Minutes later they received a report of the stabbing.

The jury also heard from Bickley Road resident Rebecca Richards and her friend Lindsay Thomas who said they saw a man matching Truffas' description scaling a wall in the area at the time police officers were at Miss James' flat.

Truffas has admitted burglary but denies murder, claiming he acted in self-defence. The trial continues.