A jealous ex apparently yelled ‘that’s my man!’ as she battered her love rival to death after her partner of 13 years swapped woman, a trial has heard.
Sara McKenzie, 61, allegedly bludgeoned Joy Boulton, 59, to death after discovering her partner had moved in with her.
Prosecutors said McKenzie struck Ms Boulton at least 20 times on the back of her head in an attack which led to her death.
The alleged murderer confronted Ms Boulton at her home. The jury was told that they will also hear from several neighbours, including one who said they saw Ms Boulton argue with another woman on the morning of the murder, who shouted at her: ‘That’s my husband, that’s my man!’
She was later found dead inside her home in Ash, Surrey, by her fiancé Trevor Dibnah when he returned home from work on the evening of May 11 this year.
Mr Dibnah had been having an affair with Ms Boulton since 2021, unbeknown to McKenzie.
The prosecution claimed McKenzie murdered Ms Boulton in a ‘jealous fury’ as Mr Dibnah, who had been in a relationship with her for 13 years, had recently left to move in her less than a mile away.
Sara McKenzie, 61, allegedly bludgeoned Joy Boulton (pictured), 59, to death after discovering her partner had moved in with her
Nicholas Corsellis told the jury at Guildford Crown Court: ‘The Crown’s case is that Ms McKenzie was consumed with jealousy and hate.
‘On Thursday May 11 this year, between 10.00am and 10.20am, Joy Boulton opened her front door to someone.
‘Shortly after the opening of that door, that person proceeded to bludgeon her to death using a heavy implement.
‘The ferocity of the attack is demonstrated by the extent and nature of the injuries to her head. They can only be explained by rage and fury.’
According to Mr Corsellis, DNA evidence was found at the murder scene which matched McKenzie’s.
‘Just before Joy Boulton was incapacitated by her attacker, she managed to strike out at her assailant and scratch the person’s face, ensuring that she had her attacker’s DNA underneath her fingernails.
‘Indeed DNA was found underneath Joy Boulton’s fingernails and it matched the defendant’s DNA,’ Mr Corsellis added.
Mr Dibnah told the paramedics that he had received a message from McKenzie the morning of Ms Boulton’s death, claiming that she had been assaulted while she was out on a walk.
McKenzie said that a woman jogged over to her and asked if her name was Sara, and upon saying ‘yes’, the woman the woman ripped off her glasses, scratched her face, and pulled a clump of hair out of her head before running off.
On the morning Ms Boulton died, McKenzie did report an assault to the police and the officer asked her if she had any issues with anyone, the court heard.
Mr Corsellis said that McKenzie’s reply was: ‘I had issues with my partner but this is now resolved.’
Joy Boulton (pictured) was later found dead side her home in Ash, Surrey, by her fiancé Trevor Dibnah when he returned home from work on the evening of May 11 this year
Mr Corsellis added: ‘The defendant did not take kindly to this and went to Joy Boulton’s address as Trevor Dibnah was moving in and confronted her. A week later, Ms Boulton received an abusive telephone call from a female caller whom she thought to be the defendant.’
On December 3, 2022, six weeks after they moved in together, Mr Dibnah and Ms Boulton became engaged and posted the news on Facebook, the jury heard.
The next morning, Mr Dibnah was awoken by a police officer inquiring about a fire that had burned down a shed at the rear of the defendant’s property. The shed had been full of Mr Dibnah’s belongings.
The prosecutor said that three weeks before the murder, McKenzie asked Mr Dibnah about Ms Boulton and said: ‘What does she have that I don’t?’ She also said: ‘When are you going to leave Joy and come back to me?’
The jury was told that they will also hear from several of Ms Boulton’s neighbours.
McKenzie was arrested on suspicion of murder later on May 11 at the scene as she joined Mr Dibnah there. She was remanded in custody and has been in jail since.
The murder trial continues.