Baden-Clay murder trial: Gerard in tears as he takes the stand for second day
Former real estate agent Gerard Baden-Clay has returned to the witness box as his murder trial resumes.
The 43-year-old sobbed as he told the court that he had not been intimate with his wife for years, and explained why he cheated.
"I just wanted sex. Our sex life became non-existent. [Allison] did put on weight," Baden-Clay said.
His formerly energetic and sociable wife apparently changed, after taking anti-depressants and the side-effects caused her to gain weight and lose her libido.
"She became much more withdrawn through that period and she was just like a sort of a blurrier image of herself," he said, his voice cracking with emotion.
Gerard Baden-Clay tells the court of his 1st affair with a colleague: "we just wanted it for the same reasons..just the sex" @7NewsBrisbane
— Emmy Kubainski (@emmykubainski) June 30, 2014
When he got home from work she often went straight to bed while he cared for their two young daughters.
He said Allison had really wanted a third child, a son, to continue the Baden-Clay name but he didn't want another child because of the toll it might take on her.
Last week Mr Baden-Clay choked back tears as he told the Brisbane Supreme Court how he fell in love with his wife and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
Allison Baden-Clay's body was found on a creek bank in Anstead, in Brisbane's west, on April 30, 2012.
The discovery was made 10 days after her husband reported her missing from their home in nearby Brookfield.
Baden-Clay has pleaded not guilty to murder.
More than 70 witnesses have given evidence since the trial began three weeks ago.
Allison and Gerard Bayden-Clay on their wedding day. Photo: Supplied
Jurors have heard details of Allison's history of depression, Baden-Clay's extra-marital affairs and the couple's financial woes.
Gerard said that his real estate business was hit hard by the 2011 Brisbane floods.
"The core catchment area for our business was the area most affected."
He said he bought his two real estate business partners out for $1 each.
Gerard says he would tell his mistress Toni McHugh "whatever she wanted to hear basically" @7NewsBrisbane
— Emmy Kubainski (@emmykubainski) June 30, 2014
#badenclay :"I was ashamed (of affair)..I hoped to be able to end it and.. I wouldn’t ever have to deal with it" @7NewsBrisbane
— Katrina Blowers (@katrinablowers) June 30, 2014
He described Allison's depression as "always hovering over her like Damocles' sword."
"My loyalty was with Allison and my children, and I did not want to jeopardise that," Baden-Clay said on Monday.
He told the court his affair with workmate Toni McHugh "was only a physical relationship" and said he did not want anything more.
As time went on McHugh wanted Baden-Clay to divorce Allison and start a life with her, according to Gerard.
#badenclay tells court Toni McHugh "Yelled at me, screamed at me, threw things at me." when Allison found out. @7NewsBrisbane
— Katrina Blowers (@katrinablowers) June 30, 2014
Toni McHugh, the former mistress of accused wife killer Gerard Baden-Clay has told his murder trial about two other affairs he had while he was married. Photos: 7News
Forensic experts testified that injuries on Baden-Clay's face looked like fingernail scratches and Allison's blood was found in one of the couple's cars.
Baden-Clay spoke of his business plans for up to seven real estate offices across Brisbane's western suburbs.
He also told of the day he found out his third child with Allison was a girl.
#badenclay in tears as recalls birth of third child. How Allison was in 'shock' at having girl, but he was delighted. @7NewsBrisbane
— Katrina Blowers (@katrinablowers) June 30, 2014
#badenclay says he learnt their third child was female at a scan. Said Allison wanted a boy. Worried how she'd take it. @7NewsBrisbane
— Katrina Blowers (@katrinablowers) June 30, 2014
Allison Baden-Clay. Photo: Supplied
