Stephan Garner, 31, has admitted killing his pregnant girlfriend Amber O'Brien but denies her murder, telling a jury he 'lost control' after repeated arguments about her cocaine use.
Amber O'Brien, who was pregnant with twins, was found dead at Garner's flat in Somerton Court, Blackley, on April 19 with more than 60 stab and puncture wounds, 32 of them to her face and neck, Manchester Crown Court heard.
Garner has pleaded guilty to manslaughter on April 18 but denies murder. The trial opened on October 14.
Termination call and domestic violence allegations
On Tuesday afternoon (October 20), jurors heard a recording of a call O'Brien made on April 15 requesting a termination. She told the operator she was experiencing domestic violence and had reported it to police.
The following day she spoke to a nurse at St Mary's Hospital on Oxford Road and repeated the allegation, prosecution barrister Nigel Power KC said.
"She told the nurse Garner regularly used cocaine, drank alcohol and had mental health concerns," he told jurors. "She said she had not seen him for a month and had no intention of going back. She told the nurse that it was awful and that if she went back he would kill her."
O'Brien was referred to an independent domestic violence advisor, and a date for termination was agreed the following Thursday.
Hospital consultation and prior complaints
On April 17, O'Brien had a consultation at the Whitworth Clinic at St Mary's Hospital. Afterwards, a nurse heard her crying in the waiting room.
"She was not expecting twins and was surprised," Mr Power said. "But as hard as it was, she still wanted the termination as it was 'the right decision' and she 'did not want any links' to Stephan."
The nurse filled out a DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour-based Violence) form with O'Brien, who described an incident where Garner had tried to lock her in a room, was aggressive and 'used physical force'.
"She said he had attempted to strangle her and threatened to kill her," Mr Power said. "She said she was genuinely concerned about her safety."
Jurors were told that between July 2019 and January 2026, O'Brien had made nine separate complaints to police of assaults by ex-partners and associates, plus one complaint of rape. None resulted in a prosecution.
Garner had previously pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm he committed while in prison. In January 2016, he 'swung' a weighted sock 'down with force' on the head of another inmate after a disagreement over a stolen blanket.
Garner's account of the relationship
Taking the stand, Garner said he met O'Brien through a mutual friend around the end of January. He said he was attracted to her but her emotions were 'all over the place' and fluctuated rapidly.
They formed a relationship within a fortnight, but Garner said he had 'second thoughts' after witnessing what he described as her 'heavy' drug use. He told the court she was 'reliant' on cocaine and would consume it 'every other day, sometimes daily', by snorting and smoking it. Garner said he took cocaine around three times a month and 'did not like' how often she took it.
"It made her erratic, she would get very irate over small things and become aggressive," he said. "I asked her to stop and she didn't like that."
There were 'frequent' arguments about her drug use and her belief that he had been unfaithful, with O'Brien throwing things at the wall and slapping him on one occasion. He was considering ending the relationship towards the end of February but changed his mind upon learning she was pregnant.
Shortly after, he moved into a new flat in Somerton Court and invited O'Brien to move in 'so we could have a fresh start', but arguments continued. He denied ever being physically abusive, telling his barrister she was 'very quick to complain' but there was not 'to his knowledge' any police reports or investigation.
The jury was read messages between Garner and his friend John Shepley. One from March 3 read: "Amber burning my head this morning, finally I can relax now she's gone." Another from March 15 read: "Do not want the b**ch using my stuff. Little rat."
On April 9, he and O'Brien returned to their flats on Baguely Crescent to collect items. He said he feared she was consuming drugs with a friend, texting her: "Smoke a pipe again and we are done."
He texted Shepley later that evening that she had 'not come back'. "If she doesn't I'm really done, I put up with all her abuse, she even hit me once," he wrote. "She won't put me or the child first. I put everything into this relationship. I'm just worried she will call the police in spite and make shit up."
Garner said he was aware O'Brien had 'made allegations' about an ex and was 'worried she would do the same'. He texted Shepley that he was 'going to end it as peacefully as possible'.
"It was trying to love someone and have a family with them while knowing she wasn't good for me," he told the court. "I asked her to quit and she couldn't. It was horrible to see."
In more texts, O'Brien told Garner she had not smoked cocaine that evening and accused him of being controlling. "Controlling? Are you OK? I asked you to stop because you are PREGNANT," Garner replied. "All you have done is shout at me, use me and call me names. All you care about is yourself and the drugs. I love you but feel scared to even speak to you. I feel you will just go off the handle."
The trial continues.
