A Saundersfoot man who stabbed his partner 177 times was so dependent on alcohol he suffered damage to his mental health, a jury heard today.

Arthur Pitt-Pladdy, aged 36, does not dispute killing Kim Butler at the flat they shared in Pennant Avenue in the early hours of August 13th last year.

But his barrister, Peter Murphy QC, told a jury at Swansea crown court that Pitt-Pladdy had suffered from Alcohol Dependency Syndrome to such a degree his responsibility for the crime was "substantially diminished".

Over the next two days the jury will hear from psychiatrists for both the prosecution and defence as to Pitt-Pladdy's state of mind at the time of Miss Butler's death.

Mr Murphy said it was significant that when Pitt-Pladdy telephoned 999 to say "I have just committed a murder" he could not even remember Miss Butler's name.

And when he was later questioned by police officers he still could not recall her name.

The jury has heard how Pitt-Pladdy stabbed Miss Butler "at least" 177 times before giving himself up.

He later told officers he had "shut her up" and that she should not have nagged him.

Pitt-Pladdy also gave a series of strange replies to questions, the court heard, such as telling police he only worked at night because he was a burglar.

Pitt-Pladdy admits manslaughter but denies murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

The prosecution argues that any abnormality of mind suffered by Pitt-Pladdy did not amount to a defence to murder.

The trial continues.