Man 'doused partner in petrol and burned her to death because she was leaving him for his son'

Ashley Williams is accused of murdering Julie Beattie by hitting her with a hammer and then setting her alight as she packed her bags

Juli was doused in petrol and burned to death by her partner when he discovered she was leaving him for his son, a court heard.

Ashley Williams allegedly hit Julie Beattie, 24, with a hammer then set her alight as she packed her bags.

Her sister Lucie collapsed at the Old Bailey today as she told how she arrived just moments later.

She sobbed: “I pushed open the kitchen door and saw Julie in flames.

“Ashley put a jacket on and walked off while she was on fire.

"The children were screaming. Julie kept saying, ‘hurry call the ambulance’.”

Ms Beattie died of 90% burns. She had four children with dad-of-12 Williams but was running off with his son Ashley Jnr, 18.

Williams, 49, of Walworth, South London, denies murder. The trial continues.