A Bristol woman charged with attempting to murder her husband declined to give evidence at her trial.

Joanne Hale indicated via legal representatives she did not wish to enter the witness box at Bristol Crown Court.

Hale, 39, of Hawksmoor Lane, Stapleton, denies attempting to murder her husband Peter as well as wounding him with intent to cause grievous bodily harm last December.

It is alleged that, after giving him sex drug "horny goat weed" and frolicking with him in Stoke Park, she inflicted a 12cm long slash to his throat before stabbing him further – including an almost fatal wound to his chest that caused lung collapse, cardiac arrest and heart damage.

It is claimed she then left him with passerby Timothy Walker, without saying she knew him or what happened, before driving to Bristol Parkway and meeting her internet boyfriend Philip Sudol in person for the first time.

Andrew Langdon QC, defending, opened the defence case by reading the jury a witness statement from Sandra Roach.

Mrs Roach said that on Saturday, December 27 last year she was staying at her sister's home in Parnell Road when she observed two figures coming out of the wooded area around 7pm.

She described how she saw them walking together, "arm over shoulder" as if one of them was drunk.

Her statement said: "I noticed the couple were sat on the bench, cuddling up. I returned inside and a few minutes later I noticed the couple at the top of the path, negotiating the stile."

Mrs Roach said she could see one was a bald, largely-built man and he was struggling to walk and needed help. She said the man fell to the ground and the other person was bent over him, urging him to get up.

The court heard Hale had no previous convictions and the defence team read several statements in which people talked of her good character.

Jennifer Warren said she had known Hale as a colleague and "dear friend" when she first met her working at Kingswood Jobcentre.

Julie Clifford, Hale's cousin, also said she was caring, loved animals and was helpful and articulate.

Kelly Husband said Hale was very kind and considerate, looked out for others and was always able to smile.

The jury has visited the site where the attack is said to have happened.

Lawyers in the case are now making their closing speeches before the judge sums up and sends the jury out to consider its verdicts.

The case continues at Bristol Crown Court.