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Teenager tells murder jury of final moments of Samantha Murphy's life after stabbing in Margate

A teenager has told a murder jury how a mum-of-three clung to her in the seconds before she died after being stabbed by her partner.

Samantha Murphy screamed "I've been stabbed, I've been stabbed" after Thomas Allen kicked in the door and attacked her with a knife through a broken panel, Maidstone Crown Court heard.

Samantha Murphy died after being stabbed through a broken door panel, a murder jury has heard
Samantha Murphy died after being stabbed through a broken door panel, a murder jury has heard

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, re-lived the final moments of Ms Murphy's life.

In a recorded interview played to the jury, the youngster said Ms Murphy, 37, had been arguing with Allen at a neighbour's house in Elfrida Close, Margate, in July last year.

The two had swapped insults during a get-together, accusing each other of cheating, the court heard.

The teenager revealed how Allen had kicked in the door, which had frightened her and prompted her to move to a different part of the house.

She revealed she had seen a broken plank come through, and initially thought it had hit Ms Murphy.

"But two seconds before [Ms Murphy] screamed, I saw Allen put his head through the hole in the door," she said.

Police and forensics investigating the scene in Elfrida Close, Margate after the stabbing. Picture: UKNIP
Police and forensics investigating the scene in Elfrida Close, Margate after the stabbing. Picture: UKNIP

"I saw him put his hand in but I couldn't see what was in his hand. [Ms Murphy] screamed 'I've been stabbed'. Then I saw blood all over the floor."

She revealed how earlier, neighbour Kaine Blissett had grabbed a pair of garden shears and chased Allen out of the house.

Allen is then alleged to have taken a knife and, after kicking in the door, stabbed Ms Murphy through the hole.

Prosecutor Philip Bennetts KC claimed Allen knew his partner was there when the knife penetrated her thigh, severing an artery.

"He has killed her, he has killed her..."

The teenager revealed how Ms Murphy grabbed hold of her after the stabbing.

"I was holding onto two cups as the blood began gushing out," she said.

"It was pouring out and I let go [of one of the cups]. I laid her down on the floor."

She revealed how she then went for help, telling neighbours Ms Murphy had been stabbed.

She said one of them shouted "he has killed her, he has killed her" but the teenager assured Ms Murphy not to listen, adding :"It's OK, you're with me".

Police at the scene of the alleged murder in Elfrida Close, Margate. Picture: UKNIP
Police at the scene of the alleged murder in Elfrida Close, Margate. Picture: UKNIP

She broke down as she recalled calling for an ambulance as Ms Murphy lay dying.

After Ms Murphy had taken her final breath, the teenager said she panicked and ran down the street asking for help.

Mr Bennetts told the jury how the violence unfolded at a gathering of a group of neighbours, who had been drinking.

"A friend overheard Sam saying Tom was a cheat," he told the court.

"Tom said to Sam 'You haven't told her when you was cheating on me. You're lucky I didn't slit your throat when that happened'."

Allen, 38, of Elfrida Close, denies murder or manslaughter.

The trial continues.

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