A Saundersfoot woman stabbed 177 times had predicted her own death- and even named her killer, a jury heard today.

Kim Butler, aged 44, had told friends she was terrified of her partner, Arthur Pitt-Pladdy and said "he's going to do me in. I know he is."

Just a few days later, say the prosecution, Pitt-Pladdy, 36, murdered her in a "brutal and sadistic attack."

A jury at Swansea crown court has been told that Pitt-Pladdy, who admits manslaughter, does not deny inflicting 177 stab and slash wounds to her body.

But he denies a charge of murder on the grounds that his responsibility was diminished because of mental illness.

Miss Butler was killed in her flat in Pennant Avenue, Saundersfoot, in the early hours of August 13 last year.

Andrew Gibbs, of Main Street, Pembroke, said he regarded Miss Butler as being "like a big sister to me."

He said his mother Sheila lived in Bethany Flats, Saundersfoot, and Miss Butler used to visit.

Mr Gibbs said he was there when Miss Butler arrived - he thought, two days before she died.

"She looked scared. She said she was scared of him and that she didn't want to back to her flat," added Mr Gibbs.

"She said 'he's going to do me in, I know he is.'

He said he did not go to the police because "I thought it might come back on her."

Mr Gibbs said he understood that Pitt-Pladdy forced Miss Butler to steal beer for him from local shops.

Victor Strong, another friend, said he was at the flat and heard Miss Butler say that Pitt-Pladdy had threatened to kill her.

The jury heard a statement made by Leanne Dunn, who lived in the flat immediately above Miss Butler.

She said she woke "startled" early on August 13 and heard Miss Butler say "sorry" three times in a row.

She said she could hear Miss Butler's dog growling and barking, and the sound of "thumps as if something heavy was being whacked against the floor or a wall."

It was 3.15am.

At 4.01am she heard the dog "yelp in pain, twice."

She added, "I knew something was wrong."

As she waited to hear further sounds an ambulance arrived and she heard someone enter Miss Butler's flat and say, "Oh my God."

The jury has heard that Pitt-Pladdy had walked to a nearby telephone box and dialled 999, telling the operator, "I've just committed a murder."

The trial continues.