A woman charged with murder and perverting the course of justice spoke about the abuse she faced from her “jealous” ex-boyfriend – and co-accused – at Chelmsford Crown Court today (Thursday, March 16).

Rebecca Ryan is alleged to have lured her ex-fiancé Michael Beckwith, 44, to a remote spot off Barrack Lane, Harwich, on July 31 last year where he was brutally attacked. He died two days later.

Scott Swift, 27, of Station Road, Dovercourt, is also charged with murder alongside Joe Smith, 18. The prosecution alleges the two men attacked Mr Beckwith at the secluded location and beat him with poles.

Ryan and Swift had previously been in a relationship before Ryan became briefly engaged to Mr Beckwith, a care worker at Connolly’s Care Home, Weeley.

Ryan and Mr Beckwith had split up a week before the attack.

Under cross examination from Amjad Malik QC, prosecuting, Ryan claimed she was not in a relationship with Swift at the time of the attack but spoke of his jealousy and aggressive behaviour.

Mr Malik said: “Not only did he dislike you having female friends but male friends as well.”

Ryan, 22, spoke of how Swift disapproved of her spending time with her best friend when the two girls had gone into town so Ryan could get a tongue piercing.

Referring to a video call she had with him earlier in the week, on Friday, July 29, she said: “He told me it looked nice [the piercing] but earlier [in the conversation] he said only whores had that done.”

She also spoke of how he made threats against her best friend, telling Ryan if she did not stop spending time with her he would “tell people where she lives”.

Ryan added: “Since I’ve know him that’s how it’s been.”

Mr Malik put it to her: “Why were you explaining to this man where you were, that you were with a woman, a friend, when you had your tongue pierced, if he was not your boyfriend?”

Ryan, of Hilltop Rise, Weeley, insisted that she and Swift were not together, stating that his threatening behaviour continued after their relationship ended, that she was “frightened” of him and that she did her best to avoid him.

Ryan is also charged with perverting justice by falsely claiming she had also been a victim in the attack.

The trial continues.