Man accused of murdering cousin with axe liked to ‘have the last word’

Rita Lambourne, 58, was found by her sister ‘fatally wounded’ at an address in Bayencourt South, Bexhill, East Sussex on February 12.

A man accused of murdering his cousin with an axe liked to “have the last word”, a court heard.

Rita Lambourne, 58, was found by her sister “fatally wounded” at an address in Bayencourt South, Bexhill, East Sussex, on February 12.

Donald Excell, 49, of Seabourne Road, Bexhill, is on trial for her murder at Hove Crown Court, East Sussex.

He is alleged to have come into the house via an unlocked back door before striking Ms Lambourne with an axe at least four times.

On Thursday, jurors heard from Ms Lambourne’s sister, Claire Haldane, about Excell falling out with Ms Lambourne.

“He liked to be more intelligent and have the last word but my sister would a