THE WHITEHAVEN man who is on trial for murder denied having a “psychological hold” over his alleged victim.

During more than 90-minutes of cross examination at Carlisle Crown Court 50-year-old Paul Irwin repeatedly denied that his relationship with 34-year-old Tiffany Render was a repeating cycle of violence, apology, and reconciliation.

Prosecutor Iain Simkin KC questioned Irwin in detail about his  16-month relationship with Miss Render, who died on March 22 from massive blood loss.

The defendant claims that her death at his George Street flat in Whitehaven was an accident, resulting from what he claims was consensual sexual activity. Mr Simkin said the prosecution case is that her death was the culmination of the “cycle of violence” in their relationship.

He told Irwin: “There was a cycle of violence in your relationship throughout the time you were together; that’s right, isn’t it?”

“No, it’s not,” said Irwin.

He denied that violence in the relationship was an “everyday” or regular occurrence. “It went from violence to apology to pleading and then reconciliation because you had a psychological hold over her, didn’t you.”

Irwin said: “No. I didn’t, actually.”

Mr Simkin referred the defendant to the incident last year when he was arrested following an argument, which happened after she asked him to wait for them to engage in sexual activity because she wanted a cigarette.

Asked if he thought his behaviour that day was reasonable, Irwin said: “She was laughing at me, just mocking me.” Mr Simkin asked: “And that made you angry?”

“Yes,” replied Irwin.

He rejected the suggestion that he was trying to “distance himself” from the violence he used against Miss Render. Mr Simkin moved on to ask him about a “precious” family photo belonging to Miss Render.

When police found the framed canvas photo at the flat, it was badly damaged, having been stabbed 15 times. Mr Simkin said Irwin previously threatened to damage Tiffany’s photos. “Did you stab that canvas photo?” asked the prosecutor.

“No,” said Irwin. Mr Simkin suggested what happened to the picture demonstrated an “enraged loss of control.” “That’s what it takes to stab a photograph of someone.”

Irwin responded with: “I never did it… When she gets drunk she can be violent herself,” he said.

Mr Simkin continued: “You did it in a rage because that’s what you are, someone who from time to time loses it and you lost it because she didn’t [give you sex] sufficiently quickly.”

The prosecutor moved on to question Irwin about March 4 when police were called to the George Street flat by Miss Render (pictured below), with her comments and behaviour captured on police bodycam footage.(Image: Family photo)

“She mentioned that you had been drinking and you were going to go to the flat. She is wringing her hands with anxiety because she’s terrified. You were going to the flat to beat her as you have so many times before.

“That’s right, isn’t it?”

“No,” said Irwin. Mr Simkin said: “She had reason to be terrified. You had beat her with a rolling pin.” Irwin said: “I am a reasonable man.” The jury were then shown the next section of police bodycam footage.

Tiffany Render is heard telling the officers: “I can’t sleep; I can’t eat. He was phoning me all night and threatening me. I’m terrified.”

Stopping the video, Mr Simkin asked: “What was she terrified of?”

Irwin said: “Being put out of the flat and having nowhere to live.” In the next section of video, Irwin is heard talking to an officer on Miss Render’s phone.

He threatened to “belt” the officer, telling him to get Miss Render out of his flat or he “get her out himself.” Mr Simkin asked: “Were you drunk?” Irwin replied: “I sound like it, yes.”

“When you are drunk, you become aggressive,” said Mr Simkin. “No,” said Irwin. “When you are drunk, you become violent,” continued the prosecutor. “No,” replied Irwin again.

The defendant has also pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting Miss Render.

The trial continues.