THE woman at the centre of a love "triangle" which sparked a vicious stabbing has insisted she was not leading both men on.

Paul Deery was moving in with partner Laura Gale for the second time when he was stabbed 18 times in their front garden by her ex, Paul May.

But Liverpool Crown Court yesterday heard Ms Gale had been sleeping with both men up until the frenzied attack.

May, of Fairbairn Road, Waterloo, admits wounding with intent, but denies attempting to murder love rival Mr Deery.

His barrister Simon Killeen questioned Ms Gale over how she had "led both men on".

She told jurors she had only slept with Mr May, 37, to "keep the peace" and claimed she had made it clear there was no chance of resuming their relationship.

But Mr Killeen said to her: "The position is Ms Gale that you've had to lie about the nature of your sexual conduct with Mr May and his character and how you still wanted him because you knew that you were effectively part of a triangle of your own creation between two men who both wanted to be with you.

"You led each of them at various times, didn't you?"

Ms Gale responded: "No."

Mr Killeen said: "Why did you send numerous naked pictures of yourself to Mr May?"

Ms Gale answered: "Just to keep the peace and to stop him coming around causing trouble."