THE jury in the murder trial of mum-of-five Pennie Davis has retired to consider its verdict.

Jurors were warned not to let their emotions cloud their judgement when considering their verdicts before retiring on Thursday afternoon.

The judge, The Honourable Mr Justice Popplewell, finished his summing up at Winchester Crown Court today.

The jury has heard evidence over the last seven weeks relating to the brutal stabbing to death of 47-year-old Pennie, from Blackfield, as she tended to her horses in Leygreen Farm, near Beaulieu.

Justin Robertson, 36, is charged with her killing on September 2, last year, as well as conspiring to murder her with Ben Carr, 22 and Samantha Maclean, 28. They all deny the charges.

Mr Justice Popplewell started his summing up by giving a brief summary of each of the defendant's cases, as well as the prosecution, before warning jurors to leave any emotions out of their decision making.

He said: “You mustn't let emotion or sympathy play a part in your decision.

“There are aspects of the case that are bound to excite emotion and sympathy but put those out of your mind because feelings of emotion and sympathy can cloud judgement.

“You must approach your task by assessing the evidence clearly, objectively, dispassionately and judge the case solely on the evidence that you have heard in this court.”