A jilted lover murdered his partner in a fit of jealousy as their three children slept upstairs, a court heard.

Paul Hemming brutally battered Natalie Hemming around the head after she told him she was in love with another man, a jury was told.

Hemming then wrapped his 31-year-old partner’s naked body in a carpet and stuffed her in the boot of his black people carrier.

He drove to an isolated spot 30 miles away where he dumped the body in Chandler's Cross where it lay unfound for three weeks.

READ MORE: Family of missing mother-of-three Natalie Hemming told of discovery of body in Sarratt

Hours later, he took the three children, all under 12, on a trip to the zoo, the court heard.

The couple were not married but Natalie had changed her name to his by deed poll.

Watford Observer:

Paul Hemming has denied murder but has pleased guilty to manslaughter

However, Miss Hemming fell in love with work colleague Simon Dennis and their relationship became physical the night before she died.

Confronted with the revelation, Hemming, 43, killed Natalie in the living room of their home in Milton Keynes, Bucks, on May 1 this year, Luton Crown Court was told.

Simon Russell Flint, QC, prosecuting, said: “Evidence we have gathered proves that she was struck brutally to the head by Mr Hemming.”

Natalie’s body was not found until May 22 at Chandler’s Cross.

Watford Observer:

Before then, Hemming told lie after lie “casually and glibly and convincingly” to her family, friends and colleagues, even sending texts from her phone to suggest she was still alive, Mr Russell Flint said.

He falsely accused Mr Dennis of raping her and claimed she had gone away to “clear her head”.

Hemming was overheard saying in a police cell: “I guess I’ll be charged with murder so I won’t be coming back to work.”

He denies murder but admits manslaughter, claiming he did not intend to kill her, said David Jeremy, QC, defending.

The trial continues.