A Chester woman on trial for the stun-gun murder of Lancashire businesswoman Sadie Hartley told police 'it looks really bad' as she was questioned by detectives about her movements.

But Sarah Williams rejected allegations of paralysing her 60-year-old love rival with a 500,000 volt gun before stabbing her in ‘an orgy of violence’ as her victim opened the front door in Lancashire, on January 14 this year.

The victim was knifed more than 40 times and found lying in a pool of blood by officers the following night, Preston Crown Court heard.

Williams, 35 – who is said to have been obsessed with her ex, Ian Johnston, 57, Ms Hartley’s partner – was arrested three days later at her home in Chester.

She was also in a relationship with a 'sugar daddy' businessman and hoped to rekindle her friendship with Mr Johnston, who dumped her for Ms Hartley after she became possessive and 'clingy'.

Williams and her friend, Katrina Walsh, 56, are said to have spent 17 months plotting the murder of Ms Hartley to get her out of the way.

Questioned about her movements in the run up to the murder, Williams told police seven days before while Mr Johnston was on a skiing holiday abroad, she drove to his old house and sat outside in her car 'like a bloody saddo' as she had done a number of times previously.

But the same night, January 7, Ms Hartley received an unexpected delivery of flowers at her home, which 'freaked her out'.

The prosecution allege this was a dry run by Williams and Walsh, for the planned murder a week later.

In police interviews read to the jury today, Det Con Bryony Midgley put it to Williams that the flowers delivery was a ruse to confirm the killers had the right address in preparation for the murder.

“No, you would have to be out of your bloody mind,” Williams told the officer.

Det Con Midgley continued: “People do strange things when they are in love.”

Williams replied: “That’s true.”

The officer said one strange thing would be driving for an hour from her home to sit outside the house of her ex.

Williams replied: “Yes, it’s sad. I appreciate it looks really bad.”

Det Con Midgley added: “Sadie was stabbed numerous times. In excess of 50 injuries. Are you responsible for those injuries?”

Williams replied: “No. I just would not be capable of doing that to anybody at any time.”

Williams again denied ever going to Sadie Hartley’s home on Sunnybank Road where she lived with Ian Johnston, or to his old house nearby after the visit on January 7 while he was away.

The customer sales adviser explained she had been sent home ill from her job at Crystal Ski Holidays in Manchester’s Chill Factore on the day of the murder, January 14 – and was asleep in bed at home in Chester at the time Ms Hartley was killed.

But the next day, in a further interview, the officer told Williams police had gathered some 'extra information'.

Det Con Midgley told the suspect she now had information to 'share with you'.

She asked the suspect to explain why her mobile phone and that of her co-accused Walsh, had been traced close to Sadie’s home on January 7 when the flowers were delivered.

Williams replied: “You will have to ask her.”

The officer replied: “We will do, because she is going to be arrested on suspicion of murder like you.”

Williams replied: “Oh God.”

The court heard in two further interviews Williams was asked about CCTV footage, car registration plate tracking evidence, DNA evidence and the diaries kept by Walsh – all allegedly linking her to the crime.

Williams replied: “No comment” to further questions, the jury heard.

Her and Walsh, both from Chester, both deny murder. The trial was adjourned until next Monday morning.