Murder trial: I lied about cancer to escape from job, says Carlisle farmer

By Phil Coleman

Last updated 13:30, Tuesday, 18 November 2008

Murder accused Robert Wilson told Carlisle Crown Court today that he had lied to colleagues about having cancer because he wanted a way out of a job that was taking over his life.

Jailed: Robert Wilson faces at least 22 years behind bars

The 41-year-old farmer admitted inventing a story that he had contracted lung cancer in October 2004 when he worked as a roster manager for Story Rail.

“The job was taking over my life totally,” said Wilson, giving evidence.

“I was on call seven days a week, 24/7.”

The defendant said that he had hoped to leave his job before Christmas and find other work but his plan to lie as an excuse for leaving had got out of hand.

He said that he had never intended for the story about his supposed illness to become public knowledge.

He insisted that his wife Jane Wilson, 53, did know about the deception.

“She said that’s over the top – you’ve gone too far with it this time,” said the defendant.

Wilson went on to say that both he and his wife had known Fred Story and his wife well.

He regularly went on a lads’ night out with Mr Story and other male colleagues.

The defendant told the court: “I ended up digging myself in a deeper hole. I had gone so far with it, but I wanted out of that job and out of the lifestyle I was getting drawn into.

“We were going to a casino every week and an amount of money was getting lost. I was totally out of my depth.

“I could not afford to live in the circle we were mixing in, that is Mr Story’s circle.”

Wilson, who denies murdering his wife, is continuing to give evidence today.