A man who has accused his wife of trying to kill him during a bondage sex session was described as mean and violent by his previous wife.

Sarah Hockey was married to BT manager Richard Thompson for three years prior to his relationship with defendant, Dena Thompson.

She told Lewes Crown Court how Mr Thompson frittered away money from their joint bank account but became angry and violent if she spent any.

She said: "He was very selfish and would get angry if I spent money. He was aggressive and would play up like a spoilt child.

"When he wasn't winning the point he would get violent. He would push me about or hit me. This happened several times".

Dena Thompson, 40, denies attacking her husband Richard with a baseball bat and knife, as he lay bound with masking tape on the floor of their home in Rustington, West Sussex, in January.

The prosecution alleges that Thompson tried to kill her husband because she was too scared to tell him she had lied about being rich and that she had stolen his money.

Miss Hockey married Mr Thompson in 1994 and they bought a cottage together which they planned to do up.

But once inside, Mr Thompson preferred to spend their money on his own entertainment. His interest in bondage caused further friction in the marriage. Miss Hockey said: "He discussed bondage and was interested in all sorts of fantasy sex, which I wasn't.

"He wanted to tie me up but I didn't agree. He persisted for a while but I made it quite clear I wasn't interested. I got the impression he had done it before and it was something he wanted to continue to do."

The couple split in 1997 with Miss Hockey divorcing him on the grounds of unreasonable behaviour. She walked away empty-handed.

The case continues.