Grandmother accused of plotting murder

Published on Saturday 17 June 2006 01:39

A GRANDMOTHER accused of conspiring to murder her partner yesterday told a court he was obsessed with the occult and hard-core pornography.

Margaret James said she did not know of any plan to kill Peter Solheim, a 56-year-old parish councillor.

James, 58, is accused of conspiring to murder Mr Solheim who was found on 18 June, 2004 floating in the sea five miles south-east of Black Head, Cornwall. The 56-year-old had been drugged and mutilated by a machete or an axe before he died from drowning.

James, of Porthoustock near St Keverne, Cornwall, told Truro Crown Court that Mr Solheim was a pagan and member of the druid community.

She said her partner had many books on witchcraft and had a box of potions.

Mr Solheim had been having a 20-year relationship with another woman, Jean Knowles, as well as a nine-year relationship with James. He had proposed to Ms Knowles shortly before he was killed.

Defending James, Paul Dunkels, QC, told the court there was no jealous or financial motive to have Mr Solheim killed because he had not told James he was leaving her.

The case continues.