THE first wife of a bigamist accused of murdering a Poole nurse asked if insurers would "pay out" on the deceased's life insurance if he was found guilty, a court has heard.

Irene Smith attended LV in Bournemouth on a number of occasions after husband Pierre Legris was charged with murdering 44-year-old second wife Rui Li, it is alleged.

Prosecutors allege that she first attended on July 21 last year enquiring about insurance on a property in Burnham Drive owned by Pierre Legris and Ms Li.

She returned on August 18 that year, it is alleged, when she made enquiries about Ms Li's life insurance, which totalled £115,000.

Together with a joint life insurance policy between Ms Li and Pierre Legris, the total would have reached £380,000.

Smith had power of attorney for Pierre Legris as he had been remanded into custody following his arrest and charge.

It is alleged that she said: "When [Pierre Legris] is found guilty, will you still pay out?", correcting the word 'when' to 'if' as she spoke.

Pierre Legris denies murdering his wife at their home on Friday, May 23 last year.

Ms Li's body was discovered in the boot of a car parked in Verwood Crescent on Friday, May 30.

The defendant admitted bigamy at the start of the trial.

Smith, 66, of St Clement's Road, denies two counts of perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to commit murder.

His son Jonathan Legris, 27, of Spring Road, denies assisting an offender and conspiracy to commit murder.

The trial, at Winchester Crown Court, continues.