Geoffrey and Susan Mayes, of Redhill Gardens, told Leeds Crown Court yesterday (April 17) they saw David Hill – who was also the 73-year-old's business partner – park his red Rover saloon car on her drive at between 2.55pm and 3pm.

Hill, 48, of Lakeside Meadows, Pontefract, claims he discovered Mrs Wright's body on the kitchen floor and called emergency services at 3.24pm on Wednesday September 27, 2006.

He denies her murder.

Mrs Mayes, who has lived on the cul-de-sac for 25 years, said she spotted Hill arrive and shouted from her bedroom window to her husband, who was washing their cars, and their next-door neighbour Elaine Adams, who was in her garden: "Look, it's David with the takings." She told the court she had just finished watching 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire' on Challenge TV, which ended just before 3pm.

Her husband, Geoffrey, said he heard his wife mention Hill's arrival and although he did not see him, he could see his car on Mrs Wright's drive.

He said it was half an hour, or slightly longer, before he heard the first sirens on the street when the emergency services arrived.

In cross-examination, Robert Smith QC asked them both why they had not mentioned Hill's arrival in their witness statements.

Mrs Mayes said: "I told the statement officer that I saw him arrive and I said it to my husband." Mr Smith told Mr Mayes that in his statement, he had not mentioned the time that passed between Hill's parking on Mrs Wright's drive and the emergency services arriving.

Mr Mayes replied that he had not been asked.

Proceeding.

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