Francesca Bimpson who was killed following an arson attack at her home _300
In the months leading up to the arson attack on December 1 last year, Eleanor Skelhorne began receiving abusive and obscene text messages and phone calls, made from a mobile phone belonging to Heaps, the jury heard.
Mr Bimpson and his teenage son both became aware of the abusive messages and approached Heaps on behalf of Eleanor.
Mr Cummings said: “The defendant harboured ill feelings toward the Bimpson and Skelhorne families.
“He had had a failed relationship with Linda Skelhorne and had sent obscene messages to Eleanor, following which he was threatened by her partner and son.
“We say he intended to kill one or another member of the household or cause them serious injury.”
Heaps, of Woodside Terrace, Crumlin, Newport, South Wales, says he was not the arsonist and denies murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter.
The trial continues.
