An ex-partner of a woman accused of killing another former lover told a jury she has decided to give evidence to seek ‘justice’ for the alleged murder.

Taking the stand in the trial of Gillian Reid and her daughter Becky Reid, Becky Reid’s former girlfriend Samantha Newns, 37, claimed she was beaten about 50 times during their four-year relationship.

She also told a jury of an alleged attack in June 2008 that marked the ‘final straw’ in the relationship.

Becky Reid, 32, and her mother Gillian Reid, 57, both stand charged with murdering Lyndsey Vaux in Wigan last year, and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Ms Newns. Prosecutors allege that Becky Reid was ‘domineering, controlling and increasingly violent’ towards both women and that Gillian Reid sometimes joined in.

Both defendants deny any wrongdoing.

On the second day of their trial, a jury at Manchester Crown Court heard Ms Newns being questioned by prosecutor Paul Reid QC about the alleged final attack on her in June 2008.

Ms Newns said that the incident occurred at the home she and Becky Reid shared with Gillian Reid and Gillian Reid’s mother in Wigan, after she argued with Becky Reid about ‘something stupid’.

She alleges that Becky Reid then beat her up, punching, kicking and stamping on her.

The jury was told that Gillian Reid also joined in the attack, allegedly punching Ms Newns in the mouth, causing a tooth to fall out. Ms Newns alleges Gillian Reid then put her foot on her throat, and claimed she said: “Get out of my f****** mum’s house.”

Asked about the incident, Ms Newns said: “I thought that was it. I thought I was going to die. I couldn’t breathe.”

The witness said this was the ‘final straw’ in their relationship, after having previously forgiving Becky Reid after alleged attacks and getting back together.

Ms News did not report her claims to the police at the time of the attack.

Asked why she had now decided to appear as a witness, Ms Newns said: “Because you can’t take somebody’s life and get away with it. I want to get justice for what she’s done to me and poor Lyndsey.”

Under cross examination by Becky Reid’s barrister Simon Csoka QC, Ms Newns denied she would regularly drink 12 cans of lager a day, but admitted she used to have a drink problem.

“You would get into scrapes when you were drunk, wouldn’t you?”, Mr Csoka asked.

“No”, replied Ms Newns.

Becky Reid, of Hayward Road, Atherton, and Gillian Reid, of Closebrook Road, Worsley Hall, Wigan, both deny all charges.

Proceeding