A FORMER escort girl has denied hacking her boyfriend to death with an axe because she was about to lose her "dream lifestyle".

Jan Charlton, aged 36, told a jury at Leeds Crown Court her life had been a "nightmare" before she attacked Danny O'Brien at the home they both shared with her daughter, Amy, in Midgley, West Yorkshire.

During Charlton's fourth day in the witness box, Paul Worsley QC, prosecuting, told her: "This man offered you a lifestyle, a house, not having to be a prostitute any more, and a beautiful home for Amy with toys and a nice bedroom.

"It was a dream that you were not prepared to let go."

Charlton sobbed as she replied: "It was a nightmare. I had no friends. I could not see my family. It was no way a dream life and not the life I wanted for my little girl. It was why I was leaving."

Mr Worsley accused her of lying and "making it up as she went along".

But Charlton said: "Nobody would choose to do this. I've lost my child and my home. Why would I not tell the truth?

She again told the jury how 40-year-old former Harwood businessman Mr O'Brien had threatened to kill her and four-year-old Amy as the couple were indulging in a bondage session.

Charlton said she was trying to calm him down after he had shown her an axe in a dressing room and told her he would not let her leave the bedroom.

Mr Worsley pressed her again and again on why she did not just run away once she had her lover kneeling before her naked, blindfolded, gagged and handcuffed.

She replied: "There was no way I was going to take the risk. At that moment in time all I could think was I was only going to get halfway down the stairs. All he had to do was to knock me down and he had Amy."

The court had heard Amy was playing in the garden at the time of the attack.

Mr O'Brien was found in his bedroom with the axe embedded in his head. He had at least 20 injuries.

Charlton admits killing Mr O'Brien on May 23 last year but denies murder. She claims lawful self defence and provocation.

(Proceeding)