Man murders wife ‘after having gay sex on Grindr’
A pharmacist charged with murdering his wife had allegedly had affairs with men he met on Grindr, a court heard on Tuesday (November 13).
Mitesh Patel, 37, is accused of murdering his wife Jessica at their home in Middlesborough on May 14.
Patel, who denies killing his wife, will stand trial at Teesside Crown Court.
The 37-year-old ran a pharmacy with his wife in Roman Road in Linthorpe.
Addressing the jury on Tuesday (November 13), judge James Goss said that it was agreed by both the prosecution and the defence that Patel had been having affairs with other men.
Mitesh Patel cheated on wife with men on Grindr
“It is agreed that during the course of the marriage the defendant Mitesh Patel had been unfaithful to his wife including having met men for sexual intercourse,” Goss told the court, reports the MailOnline.
He continued “Some of them he met using the social networking site called Grindr.”
Goss also provided details of the couple to the jury.
“The death of Jessica Patel happened in her home on May 14 this year and her husband Mitesh Patel, the gentleman sitting in the dock, is charged with her murder,” he said.
“Both of them worked as pharmacists and owned and ran the pharmacy on Roman Road in Linthorpe.”
Judge excuses jury members who have used Grindr
Goss also excused any jurors from the case who had used Grindr before.
Jessica was found dead at the couple’s home in May. She had suffered serious injuries.
The trial is set to begin on Thursday (November 15).
Goss told the jury that Jessica was “undoubtedly” murdered
“It’s as straightforward as that,” he told the court, reports ITV News.
He added: “Instinctively, when you hear aspects of the case you may react emotionally.
“You have to put emotions to one side.
“You try the case, dispassionately, coolly, calmly and collectively assessing the evidence.”
Following Jessica’s murder her family released a statement.
“We have lost Jessica, a kind-hearted, gentle and selfless person who was loved dearly by her family and friends,” it read.
“She was completely dedicated to all of her family and her loss has brought an unbearable pain.”