A MAN accused of murdering his girlfriend in their bedroom has told jurors they used “strangulation to enhance sex”.

Sean Freaney gave evidence on day five of the trial at Oxford Crown Court yesterday.

The 51-year-old builder denies murdering Lisa Consterdine at their home in Purslane Drive, Bicester, on March 1 last year.

Freaney, who met Miss Consterdine in the summer of 2008, said they had a “pretty intense” sex life which began to include mock strangling in 2009.

Describing a pair of handcuffs the pair had been given as a Christmas present in 2008, Mr Freaney told jurors: “At first it was a gimmick, but it enhanced the sex life.”

He added: “There was a bit of tying up involved and the occasionally whips used.”

Asked by David Hislop, defending, about the strangulation games, Mr Freaney said: “It came up in a conversation.

“I asked if she would like to try it and she said she would be willing.”

He added: “It enhanced sex, it was thrill seeker, and it was a developing game involving sex and sub-conscious.

“She was a bit tense in the beginning... as things progressed she became a bit more relaxed with it.

“I think it brought her a bit more enjoyment into our sex life.”

Freaney admitted the sex was at times “very, very rough” and said Miss Consterdine had complained about it.

He added he had apologised and said he tried to be more gentle.

He said: “I loved her from the moment I had first been with her.”

Mr Hislop asked: “Did you ever stop loving her?”

“No,” came the reply.

“Do you love her now?” asked Mr Hislop.

The defendant replied: “Of course I do.”

Dr Raymond Goodman, a specialist in ‘psycho-sexual medicine’, earlier told jurors said the victim’s injuries “would suggest a struggle well beyond the normal reaches of recreational sado-masochism”.

He added: “Normally it’s (with) someone you love, it’s a partner, and you’re very solicitous, and it’s a game.

“You are not there to bruise or hurt a partner who you love.”

The trial continues.