I'll stand by him, vows girlfriend

The girlfriend of Petros Anthia has vowed to stand by the serial rapist.

Janet Coleshill began her relationship with Anthia while she was still married and living at home.

Ms Coleshill, of St Albans, said: "Petros made no secret that he was madly in love with me and it was mutual.

"He could not do without me. We were living for each other. We loved each other. He was as loving towards me as I was towards him."

Giving evidence in court, she admitted having telephone conversations with Anthia during the trial and after starting her testimony-but said she had not discussed any evidence with him.

Ms Coleshill said she visited him in prison and spoke to him on the phone almost nightly.

"I spoke to him last night but I did not discuss the case," she added.

She claimed she had not seen signs of his aggressive character and described how he would ask where she was going so that he could surprise her by appearing unexpectedly.

She showed no sign of emotion as the evidence was unveiled.