Murder accused claimed woman found in St Helens freezer was alive

He told the court that, as far as he was aware, Delia was living in Australia and keeping a low profile.

Lawler said he was also told on different occasions that Delia had been in Cyprus, Spain and Portugal.

In late 2025, over two years after she is said to have died, Lawler said he was told by George Gordon that Delia was living in Cornwall. Lawler said these were fantasies.

Lawler told the jury he had known Delia for approximately 15 years, and that he had not seen any physical violence between the two – just “verbal” arguments.

Asked when cross-examined whether Delia was in control of the relationship, Lawler replied “no”.

Her dismembered body was found in Gordon’s flat in St Helens along with her five dead guinea pigs in January this year.

Gordon denies murder and causing unnecessary suffering to animals.

The trial, which is expected to last six weeks, continues.