AN UNEMPLOYED man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend in Pitsea had taken over her bank account and prevented her from going out, according to her family.

Laura Davies, 21, died outside the Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society on July 3 after suffering at least 80 stab wounds.

Her “jealous and controlling” former boyfriend Jordan Taylor, 22, is standing trial at Chelmsford Crown Court after pleading not guilty yo her murder.

Miss Davies is thought to have ended their relationship just moments before her death.

Her family said she was unhappy after he had begun telling her what to wear, prevented her going out and had taken control of her bank account.

Giving evidence, her mother Dyanne Lambert said he would not allow her to wear short-sleeved or low-cut tops and they would often argue.

Ms Lambert added: "She became very quiet and didn't want to talk about what was going on."

Taylor had originally moved into Miss Davies's flat after she became concerned about him being homeless after his parents threw him out.

But their relationship grew closer and they became a couple at the start of last year.

Ms Lambert last saw her daughter alive the night before her death, when she dropped her back at the sanctuary after a shopping trip.

She said: "She was just very quiet.”

Half-sister Joanne Bright told the court that when Miss Davies first met Taylor she had described him as "a bit weird and full-on".

As their relationship developed she became quiet and withdrawn and would make excuses not to meet family.

"She became cut-off and subdued and was not her usual self," she added.

"She told me Jordan was very controlling, that he didn't like her going out and when she did go out one night there was a major row and he started calling her a 'slut' and stuff."

Just hours before she was killed, Miss Davies and Ms Bright had a conversation on Facebook.

She added: "She said he had become very controlling and had decided to end their relationship but didn't want to see him out on the street.

"She couldn't take being controlled any more. He had taken over her bank card and she had had enough."

Opening the case, prosecutor Peter Gair said Miss Davies had cooked a meal for Taylor shortly before the attack.

She had decided to end their relationship but continue to allow him to live with her.

"That attack was as a direct result of her telling the defendant that their relationship was over," he added.

"Whether it was motivated by jealousy or anger or a mixture of both and other emotions, he exacted a terrible revenge on her which caused her to die at the scene."

Jurors heard the attack began in the flat. When Miss Davies fled outside in her pyjamas, Taylor is said to have chased after her and continued stabbing her.

The trial continues.