A MAN accused of murdering his girlfriend told her family he “wouldn’t do anything to hurt her” and “really loved her”, a court has heard.

Gary Bennett, 37, of Caister Drive, Pitsea is on trial at Basildon Crown Court after denying the murder of Madison Wright.

The woman, 30, from Basildon had not been seen or heard from since the morning of July 22 last year.

Yesterday, the jury heard how Bennett told her family he loved her when they went looking for her at his home.

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A statement from her aunt, Lisa Bailey, was read in court yesterday.

Recalling the conversation with Bennett, the statement said: “He said ‘I’ve event spent hours at Wat Tyler Park looking for her.

“You don’t know what we’ve been through to be together. I really love her and wouldn’t do anything to hurt. I’ve even started smoking again. If you hear anything let me know”

On July 30, her body was discovered at Wat Tyler Country Park in Pitsea. The park and Pitsea Tip were closed for five days as police searched the areas.

The court also heard from her ex-husband Erol Wright who gave evidence in court. He reported her missing on July 25 at 4.12pm.

Remembering July 21, Mr Wright added: “She seemed normal when I saw her and she was going to work as a cleaner.

Echo:

“I got a text at 12.57pm from Madison to say ‘something’s come up’ and she had ‘stuff to sort out.’ “I didn’t know what she meant by this. On the Sunday I text her but didn’t hear back. I was a little bit worried. On July 25 I logged into Google find my phone to see where she was.

“It showed it was outside Gary’s house. I thought she was there. I checked on July 29 and it showed the same location.

“At that stage I asked other people if they had seen her, anyone I could think of. I thought I should go looking for her and went to Wat Tyler Park and few other places.

“I went to Gary’s home with Madison’s brother and asked if he had seen her. He told us he last saw her was when she went to get some stuff."

Gary Bennett denies the charge. The trial continues.