Samira Lupidi murder trial: Accused mother was 'a lovely mum'

A mother who stabbed her two young daughters to death told a police medical examiner she used to be "a lovely mum", a court has heard.

Samira Lupidi, 24, told Dr Andrew Cobb that she wanted to hurt herself after killing 17-month-old Jasmine Weaver and Evelyn Lupidi, three, a jury was told.

Ms Lupidi, an Italian national, is on trial at Bradford Crown Court and denies two counts of murder.

She has admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Peter Moulson QC, prosecuting, told the jury that Dr Cobb assessed Ms Lupidi at Bradford Police Station after the girls were found with stab wounds in November.

Mr Moulson said Ms Lupidi told the doctor she didn't have thoughts of self harm, but said: "Today, yes. When I hurt them, I want to hurt myself as well."

The trial has heard that Ms Lupidi and the girls ended up in a refuge after she called police to her home in West Yorkshire.

She had told officers that her partner Carl Weaver, 31, had slapped her twice the night before, the court previously heard.

Mr Moulson said Ms Lupidi told Dr Cobb "I'm a lovely mum", before adding "I used to be" and breaking down in tears.

Dr Cobb described the mother as "thin, tense, guarded and quietly desperate" when he assessed her.

He said he did not judge her to be overtly mentally ill but said he believed she was depressed, the court heard.

Mr Moulson said the defendant told Dr Cobb: "My boyfriend says I understand nothing, calling me crazy because I fight a lot with him."

He said she added: "I am alone in England. No-one can protect me."

A statement from Bevisna Neziri, an Italian friend of Ms Lupidi's, was also read to the court.

Mr Moulson said Ms Neziri told police that Lupidi admitted she was "having problems" with Mr Weaver about a year before she killed her daughters.

The prosecutor said Ms Lupidi told Ms Neziri that Mr Weaver was no longer attracted to her and was contacting other women.

Dr Kirsten Hope, a pathologist, told the court that both girls were found with nine stab wounds and multiple incision wounds.

The trial continues.