A defence lawyer for a woman accused of attempting to murder her husband said she was a "practised liar."

Dena Thompson is accused of attempting to murder her husband when he was tied up and expecting a bondage sex session.

Joanna Greenberg, defending, said: "She's a woman capable of lying, lying and lying.

"If she tells you today it's Friday you would probably want to check in your newspaper for the truth.

"She isn't an honest woman.

"But despite an appalling record of dishonesty she has never been violent.

"Both of these people saw in each other something they could get in financial terms but Dena Thompson is the more experienced and practised fraudster."

Earlier a handwriting expert told the court she thought Dena Thompson had forged her husband's signature on a loan agreement form.

The Abbey National form had Richard Thompson's signature on it but it is alleged Dena Thompson forged it.

Thompson, 40, denies attempting to murder her husband at the couple's home in Rustington.

It is alleged she attacked Richard Thompson, 42, with a metal baseball bat and knife while he was bound with a belt and masking tape.

The case at Lewes Crown Court continues.