Paul Retallick murder trial: Ex-girlfriend had suffered four years of abuse, jury told

A Somerset man beaten to death at his former partner’s Langport home abused her for most of their four-year relationship, a court heard.

Paul Retallick, 35, formerly of Barwick, near Yeovil, was found dead at Heidi McGinty’s home on Iris Way, Langport, on Sunday, September 16 last year.

Her father Michael McGinty, 55, and brother Lee McGinty, 25, both of Peony Road, deny his murder.

Bristol Crown Court heard on Wednesday details of interviews Michael McGinty gave police in the days following Mr Retallick’s death.

He told officers Mr Retallick was violent towards his daughter and said he was “baffled” as to why she would take him back.

He described how one of Miss McGinty’s three children told him: “Daddy’s been nasty to mummy.”

He said: “I was getting more from the kids than I was from Heidi. She was withdrawn and down all the time. She wouldn’t open up.”

Michael McGinty said his family had a difficult time after the couple broke up.

He said Mr Retallick abused and threatened his whole family, leading him to have CCTV installed at his home.

And in 2011, Michael McGinty said he was beaten up by Mr Retallick and a friend.

But Michael McGinty said he thought the law would deal with Mr Retallick, and he would eventually be put in prison.

Mr Retallick was due in court to face a dangerous driving charge after he allegedly chased Miss McGinty’s car with his own, the court was told.

Michael McGinty added: “I’ve never been violent towards him, not historically.

“I’ve probably made threats - tit for tat.”

The trial was expected to reach its conclusion yesterday.