HUSBAND and wife Jenny and Nick Cupit looked a picture of innocence on their wedding day - but four years later their romance would end in murder.

Exchanging vows at St Andrew's Church, Orford, in September 1993, Nick Cupit, then aged 22, happily tied the knot with his 19-year-old bride Jenny Lythgoe.

But hairdresser Cupit would then fall into the arms of computer consultant Chris Linaker, who she met with his wife Kathryn at the Centenary Operatic and Dramatic Society, with disastrous consequences.

Cupit cheated on her husband repeatedly with Chris over the next 14 months in a variety of locations, including both marital homes - and involved Nick in a three-in-a-bed romp at Mr Linaker's alleged suggestion.

But love cheat Chris claimed Nick was supposed to arrive back at his Borrowdale Avenue, Orford, home and surprise them before joining in the sex games.

Mr Linaker told the jury: "It was a set-up scenario - Jenny told me it was what Nick wanted."

Defence counsel Adrian Fulford, in mitigation, claimed Nick Cupit failed to care for his wife - who suffered from bulimia and depression - and help to care for their children Ben and Laura.

Professional pianist Neil Alcock, another husband embroiled in a threesome with murderer Cupit and Chris Linaker, told the trial how Jenny later approached him at a Walton Hall wedding reception, pestering him for a kiss.

Mr Alcock recalled: "Jenny led me from one of the main rooms into a corridor and started kissing me on the lips.

"I ran out of the building into after this and Jenny followed me out into the garden. It sounds ridiculous but she chased me around me around the garden."

Former insurance industry worker Neil, a fellow operatic society member, refused point-blank to take part in a second sex session, telling the couple it was "wrong". He also confirmed defendant Cupit was jealous of Kathryn Linaker.

Giving evidence Neil's wife Sally remembered when Cupit first revealed she lusted after her brother, Chris Linaker, at rehearsals for an operatic society production. The suggestion surprised her.

Said Sally: "I was taken aback really. I did not really take her seriously because I thought it was so silly and I tried to make light of it."

Fellow actress Sally advised Jenny that - because both had loving partners - the best course was to "do the decent thing" and not pursue the affair.

But the wise words were ignored and months later Cupit, armed with knives and an ornament, made the fateful trip to Kathryn Linaker's home.

It is understood the couple have now separated and are divorcing. Cupit is believed to have broken her bail conditions to join another lover just 24 hours before her murder trial was set to begin.

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