MURDER accused Lepani Temo told the High Court in Labasa yesterday that he was in a relationship with the victim - Susana Niubalavu - whom he allegedly knifed in November last year in Taveuni.
Mr Temo, who worked for Niubalavu in the dalo farming area of Soqulu told the court that after a trip to Labasa last year for a separate court case, the victim told him that she was interested in having a relationship with him.
Defence lawyer Seremaia Waqainabete asked him what was his response to the victim, Mr Temo said he agreed so they moved in together.
Mr Temo also told the court that he asked the victim about her marital status. He said the victim told him that her husband had left her and the children and would not return.
However, after four months of living together, Mr Temo said Niubalavua's husband moved back to their place in Soqulu.
Mr Temo said after the husband moved in, the couple quarrelled every day.
He said on two occasions, he had had to take Niubalavu in for the night at his camp after she told him that her husband had hit her with a rope and a stick.
He added that he even asked Niubalavu about the security of his job but she told him to continue working for her.
Mr Temo said his job was to look after the farming area as a lot of disputes were happening in the area over the farms.
The court heard that Niubalavu's sister, who owns the farming area, had asked him to work on the farm and also look after Niubalavu and her children as their dad had left them.