A MAN accused of murdering his ex-partner stated that a struggle with a knife led to the stab wounds responsible for her death.

Craig Walker, 41, is accused of killing Lauren Wilson, 34, at his flat in Renfrew on May 26, 2021.

Walker denies murdering Lauren as well as then putting her in a large bag planning to dispose of the body.

Walker told the High Court in Glasgow in his evidence that there were several struggles between the pair that night.

He stated that Lauren had a knife and he was trying to get it off of her.

Prosecutor David Dickson said: "By this point, Lauren had 27 other stab wounds on her head and neck and you had done nothing?"

Walker replied: "I couldn't say I did nothing. In relation to getting assistance, I did nothing."

Mr Dickson said: "Why?"

Walker replied: "I don't know, the whole thing happened quickly and I was in the middle of it."

The advocate depute asked if Walker was suggesting that Lauren had stabbed herself 29 times overall cutting her jugular and carotid artery.

He replied: "There were three struggles, and there was sliding down the wall.

"I protracted the knife and there was a big fall in the bedroom - at the time I did not notice the injuries."

He added that it was the "struggle" that caused the wounds.

Mr Dickson asked how Walker missed the wounds.

He replied: "When you are in the middle of a frantic struggle - and that's what it was - you don't realise what was actually happening at that point.

"I didn't even check the back of her neck - I remember trying to stop the blood at the left side of her neck."

Mr Dickson stated: "I suggest simply that you killed her, you assaulted her, you punched her, she was bleeding and had abrasions.

"You kept punching her and that's why there was so much blood in parts of the house.

"At some point, you strangled her...and having failed to kill her you inflicted 29 stab wounds with severe force as described by the pathologist."

Walker refuted the suggestions.

Mr Dickson stated that Lauren had 77 injuries overall.

The advocate depute asked why Walker lied about having cancer.

He replied: "This was a Machiavellian act to push Lauren away."

Walker also denied telling Lauren that he had an appointment at the Beatson cancer hospital on the day of her death.

In relation to texts sent on Lauren's phone about an appointment, Mr Dickson said: "Surely she got that from you?"

He replied: "I can't attain to what she told her friends on May 26."

Mr Dickson said: "You can, because you sent them."

Walker replied: "I didn't."

Mr Dickson stated that Walker had formed a "rouse or a lie" days before the day of Lauren's death in order to get her to his flat, which he denied.

Mr Dickson said: "She was going to tell your wife that you were together for longer than your wife knew."

Walker replied: "That's incorrect."

Walker admitted being naked on the top half of his body during the incident.

The court heard that a mixed DNA profile of Walker and Lauren's blood was found on his shower head.

Mr Dickson stated: "You then wrapped her up in blankets, bound her with tape five times and put her in a bag?"

Walker replied: "Yes."

Walker admitted looking up missing persons in the UK and Scotland after being informed by Lauren's friend that she had reported her.

He stated that he did not know why he did it.

Walker also claimed he told Lauren's friends that he had not seen her that day to "protect her."

Mr Dickson said: "How can you protect her while dead in a bag?"

Walker replied: "I know Lauren lied to people about why she stayed at my house overnight and she said she was going to an appointment or working later."

Mr Dickson asked Walker why he did not lead police directly to Lauren in his bedroom while she was in a hockey bag.

He said: "It was just a massive shambles by me, it was more than that, it was a massive clusterf***, embarrassing, disrespectful - it caused more anger and anxiety for Lauren's family."

Mr Dickson stated: "You sent a text to Lauren's friend saying 'Possibly need some space, I know she was going a bit Jekyll and Hyde'.

"I suggest there was only one person who was Jekyll and Hyde and that was you, you killed Lauren that day didn't you?"

Walker replied: "That's incorrect."

The trial before Judge Lady Stacey continues on Monday.