Jackie Phillips, left, whose lover Nicholas Fabian is charged with attempted murder. Picture by Kent Media/Sidcup Jim Bennett

by Keith Hunt

The mistress of love cheat soldier Nick Fabian wiped away tears as she told of their 10-month affair and how he vowed to leave his wife for her.

"He said he wanted to marry me and give me a baby," said Jackie Phillips.

But the slim blonde said she did not know Victoria Fabian was expecting another child at the time her car exploded in Vigo village, near Gravesend.

"He didn't ever tell me his wife was pregnant," she said.

"I found out after the incident. I read it on the internet."

Fabian, 33, is alleged to have booby-trapped the car with a grenade outside the family home at Highview in March last year.

Mrs Fabian was in her mother's Mazda with her son Charlie, nine, while Fabian was in the family Vauxhall Zafira with their son Harry, four.

The car exploded and caught fire as Mrs Fabian, 33, started to reverse.

She suffered serious leg injuries and still walks with crutches. Charlie and the baby were unharmed.

Miss Phillips, 33, told Maidstone Crown Court how she and Fabian stayed at a hotel in the New Forest and he spent nights at her home in St Mark's Avenue, Gravesend, having told his wife he was on Army courses.

They met at work at Battersea Dogs Home at Brands Hatch in 2009 and became "more than just friends" in May or June that year.

She knew Fabian had an American Express credit card. It was his idea, she said, that the bills should go to her address.

Mrs Fabian was sitting in court listening to the evidence but walked out as Miss Phillips told the jury: "On occasions he talked about his relationship with his wife.

"He said he didn't love her any more and they were only together for the sake of the children.

"He said they should have split up some time before. They were arguing a lot."

Fabian was due to be posted to Afghanistan in March last year.

"He promised as soon as he came back he would leave his wife for me," she said.

She received hundreds of texts from her lover during their affair.

One said: "You are ------- beautiful, Love you sexy and always will."

She agreed she was concerned and upset when she found out Mrs Fabian was pregnant.

After his arrest, he sent her a letter from prison telling her: "I love you so much."

Fabian denies attempting to murder Mrs Fabian, causing her grievous bodily harm with intent and causing an explosion likely to endanger life or cause serious damage to property.

He admits possessing 95 rounds of 5.56mm rifle bullets without a firearms certificate.

The trial continues.