An 'angry' husband went on an expletive-filled rant to a friend where he 'wished his pregnant wife was dead' just weeks before she disappeared without trace 20 years ago, a court has heard.

Andrew Griggs, 57, is accused of murdering his wife Debbie Griggs, then aged 34, and dumping her body 20 years ago.

The mother-of-three has not been seen since May 5, 1999. Prosecutors say she thought her husband was having an affair with a 15-year-old girl.

He claims that his wife left their young family late at night of her own accord.

Just a fortnight before her disappearance, Mr Griggs told a friend 'he wished her dead', Canterbury Crown Court heard on Monday.

The keen sailor visited Peter Marks - a welder in Deal, Kent, where the couple lived - for work on his boat and shop.

The court heard Mr Marks noticed that Mr Griggs 'did not seem his normal self'.

'He responded saying that he was having a lot of trouble at home,' Duncan Atkinson QC, prosecuting, explained.

'It was with his wife, related to money.'

Mr Marks told the court: 'He was very agitated, very loud and obviously swore a lot in relation to his wife.'

The jury heard he called his pregnant wife a 'c***'. Mr Marks continued: 'He said that she was going to take half of his business. And his belongings and everything he owned.'

Mr Marks told the court: 'There were expletives. He said he wished her dead. He was very serious in my opinion. Very angry and serious.'

The court heard Mr Griggs returned to see the welder a week later, and went on another expletive-filled rant about this wife.

Nic Lobbenberg QC, defending, responded: 'People use I am going to kill you as a turn of phrase.

'He was very angry, and at that time he was very angry with his wife. It was no secret.'

The heartbroken family of Mrs Griggs told the court of the last time they saw her 20 years ago.

They recalled a devoted mother, who spent most of her time looking after her young children.


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