The former partner of a man accused of trying to kill her boss inside his pub has revealed her ex-lover became jealous over text messages.

Cara Macdonald told jurors how pub landlord David Brown, 50, had sent her "suggestive and inappropriate" Whatsapp messages while working at The Cricketers Inn at Meopham.

She revealed her estranged husband Miguel Batista – known as Alex – had taken exception to the texts including one about being in hospital and being surrounded by "sexy nurses" .

"I took them as banter but Alex didn't like it and I asked David not to send any more and he agreed,” Ms Macdonald said.

Later, Batista, a former employee at the pub, questioned her if Durban-born Mr Brown had been getting closer and she told him no.

The prosecution has alleged that Portuguese-born Batista, 29, and brother-in-law Craig Allen went into the Cricketers Inn in Wrotham Road, Meopham on November 5 last year intent on killing the publican.

The two hooded men armed themselves with a Rambo First Blood II knife, a silver knife and a shovel after forcing their way into Mr Brown's flat in the upstairs of the pub and launched a knife attack, it is alleged.

But a jury has heard how despite injuring Mr Brown, Batista later fled leaving Allen behind where he died from a knife wound, inflicted by Mr Brown as he defended himself.

Batista, of no fixed address, is now on trial at Maidstone Crown Court accused of attempted murder, which he denies.

Ms Macdonald – who has now split with Batista – told the jury how Alex "liked" knives and had about five or six which he kept in their flat in the pub.

She said her relationship with Alex was a volatile one and she came to the conclusion it was over because of his behaviour.

On the night of the incident, Ms Macdonald, 32, revealed how she went to the pub''s Guinness shelter at 9pm to have a cigarette and conversation.

"Cameron, a fellow worker, came out and said I needed to go inside,” she said. “He was a bit mumbled, I was trying to work out what had happened.

"Alex phoned me but I didn't answer. I went upstairs and saw David. He was slumped on the floor near the bathroom.

"Customers were calling the police. I took the phone from another member of staff and was facing the window when I saw my car go past, " she added.

“They then went to the Kings Arms after being led away by police. They told me not to answer the phone.”

Earlier the court heard how Mr Brown had sacked Batista because of his behaviour and ordered him to leave the pub flat he had occupied with Ms Macdonald.

She added: “After Alex was kicked out I began locking the door to my bedroom. I told Alex I was now locking the door after he asked to collect some items."

Ms Macdonald told how he had sent her a message on October 31 asking to see her "one last time". But she replied: "I'm just not interested in your one last time crap".

The jury was told how brother-in-law Mr Allen had been diagnosed with split personality disorder, psychosis and schizophrenia.

Mr Allen, 35, from Marden, died at the scene and Mr Brown, 50, from Meopham, was taken to hospital for treatment.

He was initially arrested on suspicion of murder but later released.

The trial continues.