14 September 2010 Last updated at 13:36 GMT
A retired West End nightclub owner has denied trying to kill his ex-wife because he feared she would "take everything" from him.
Sonia Delvaille, 65, was shot three times in the head in February but survived with brain damage.
She had divorced Ronald Seymour, 70, in 1996 but they reunited months later before splitting again last August.
He told the Old Bailey the gun went off accidentally as he tried to drag her home. He denies attempted murder.
Miss Delvaille suffered brain damage when she was shot after leaving her solicitor's office and will not be giving evidence at the trial.
'Physically abusive'
She had been with her ex-husband for 40 years and they continued to live together after reuniting months after their divorce.
The court heard Miss Delvaille said she left Mr Seymour because he had been physically and verbally abusive to her.
The defendant, who also denies having a gun to endanger life, said he was depressed about the legal battle between the pair and had bought the firearm to kill himself if his ex-wife did not agree to return to their family home in Hendon Lane, Finchley.
Mr Seymour, who broke down while giving evidence, said: "I was not in the right state of mind.
"It was never my intention to kill my wife. I am not that type of person."
The defendant, who is worth £2.5m, told the jury he had offered his ex-wife a settlement of £800,000 but she had rejected it.
He added: "I would have given it all to her.
"I didn't understand why my wife would make allegations, then I found out the more allegations she made, the more money she would get."
The case continues.
From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11300534
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
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I knew Ron back in the early 90's when he ran the Moonlighting night club in Greek Street and can categorically say that he was the one of the nicest people I have ever met. I am shocked and saddened that this has happened to him.
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