A MILTON Abbot man accused of murdering his lover was likely to have been suffering from an enduring mental illness, a court heard this week.

John O'Rourke, 66, is on trial at Truro Crown Court for the murder of Amanda Sorrell, 55, at Pempwell, near Stoke Climsland in September last year.

Dr Paul Cantrell, a consultant forensic psychiatrist called by the defence, told the jury on Tuesday: 'It is my opinion that O'Rourke was likely to have been suffering from an enduring mental illness, a depressive disorder of the mind, at the time (of the killing).

Questioned by Paul Dunkels QC, prosecuting, Dr Cantrell declared: 'I find it difficult to see that the illness, in the absence of anything else, could not have had something to do with what otherwise would be an inexplicable homicide.' Asked whether he had considered the possibility that O'Rourke had lost his temper Dr Cantrell said: 'I did but I dismissed it because throughout his life he has been a calm man not given to losing his temper.'

There was no evidence to suggest that he was prone to losing his temper and he could not believe that this was the result of a homicidal loss of temper. The doctor referred to O'Rourke's history of depression since 2003 and said he had spoken of problems at home caring for his wife Marilyn who was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia.

He met Amanda Sorrell in late 2005 and their shared interests in jazz, gardening and walking led to an intimate relationship starting in March, 2006.

He had not suffered from depression when with her and his daughters had spoken of him seeming much happier as a result of them being together.

Earlier this week O' Rourke's defence solicitor Nigel Pascoe QC quoted from two statements his client had made — 'I just don't know why I harmed her because she was such a lovely person' and 'God help me if I have done that. I cannot remember doing anything like that.'

Referring to it being an appalling tragedy, in which Mrs Sorrell suffered 27 injuries to her face and head, Mr Pascoe declared: 'On any view he is a most unlikely killer but kill he did. He took the life of the woman he loved and doted on.

O'Rourke said his wife was loyal and loving and a very good mother: 'She worked caring for elderly people. When she became ill she was completely different — zombified.'

When he met Amanda he felt at ease with her and their relationship meant almost everything to him.

'But I would never have left my wife. Amanda knew that from the word go,' he said.

The jury heard last week from the prosecuting counsel that O'Rourke subjected his lover to a sustained attack, repeatedly hitting her around her face and head and using glass ornaments as weapons at her cottage where he would spend some nights each week.

Paul Dunkels QC alleged: 'At one stage he must have held her by the throat and she continued to struggle until her death.'

He said O' Rourke, who denies the charge of murder, took a knife on himself after the attack. He could not provide any explanation for his actions.

The trial continues.