A man accused of murdering his partner told another man living nearby he "ended up strangling" her following an argument a few weeks before she died, a court has heard.

Adam Barnard, 41, had been in a "volatile" relationship with Tara Kershaw, 33, for about a year prior to her body being found at a property in Princes Road, Great Yarmouth, just after 9am on January 20 this year.

Adam Barnard (inset) and police at the murder scene in Great Yarmouth Adam Barnard (inset) and police at the murder scene in Great Yarmouth (Image: Facebook/Newsquest) Barnard has gone on trial accused of murdering Miss Kershaw in the early hours of January 19 after he had gone to police in the town and told them "I think I killed my partner".

Great Yarmouth Police StationGreat Yarmouth Police Station (Image: Newsquest) Miss Kershaw died from compression of the neck although the post-mortem examination revealed evidence of "two episodes" of previous fractures to the larynx or voice box in the weeks before she died.

Giving evidence at Norwich Crown Court on Thursday (October 17) Michael McQueen, who lived in the same apartment block as Miss Kershaw and Barnard, said on one occasion, in December last year, he “heard screaming from upstairs”, where the couple had rooms.

Norwich Crown CourtNorwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest) He went to investigate but came across Barnard who came down saying he “can’t handle the arguing” which was “driving him crazy”. 

He then said: "I ended up strangling Tara”.

The jury comprising of seven women and five men also heard evidence from a man who lived in one of the apartments in Princes Road near to Miss Kershaw and Barnard.

Police at Princes Road, YarmouthPolice at Princes Road, Yarmouth (Image: Newsquest)He said it was "a bit of a mad house" where there was "a lot of shouting that used to go on" from a number of people who lived there.

The witness was asked specifically whether he had ever heard Miss Kershaw and Barnard arguing.

He said he "did hear shouting" and when he saw Miss Kershaw she "would be quite upset" and "crying".

She had also told him she was "not allowed to be seen talking to any of you".

The court has also heard from other witnesses who have described how Miss Kershaw said Barnard had "gone for her" a few weeks before she was killed.

Barnard, of Princes Road, Yarmouth, has denied murder and manslaughter.

The trial continues.