A COUPLE accused of murder made suggestive remarks in a Stourport supermarket and later confessed to an affair, it was alleged at Worcester Crown Court.

Michael Whitcombe and Muriel Southall were "touchy feely" and gave the impression that they were a married couple, said check-out assistant Heidi Moule.

She gave evidence of conversations in the summer of 2007 some months before the death of 62-year-old lorry driver Reginald Southall, whose body was found in the River Severn on December 16, 2007.

Southall, 60, of Stourport Caravan Park, Redstone Lane, Stourport, and Whitcombe, 59, of Four Acres Caravan Park, Worcester Road, Stourport, plead not guilty to murder and perverting the course of justice. The prosecution has suggested they wanted to get rid of an unwanted husband.

Mrs Moule said she became friendly with the couple after recognising their Black Country accents as they stood in the queue to pay. She thought they were a lovely couple and were married.

They were "touchy feely" in the queue, touching hands and brushing against each other. Whitcombe said they were going for a ride on his motorbike for a picnic and said he was going to "ravish" Southall in a field. He gave her a pat on the bottom.

Another time, he was impatient at the check-out and commented: "I want to get her home and have my wicked way before her husband comes home."

In September, the witness was walking to work when Whitcombe stopped his car and offered her a lift. Southall got into the back seat.

Mrs Moule asked how long they had been married. There was silence and eventually Whitcombe said: "We are not. We are having an affair." Southall said nothing.

The witness said she felt embarrassed and said: "If it makes you happy and you are in love, go for it. Life's too short." Whitcombe replied: "That's exactly what I have been telling her and she won't have any of it." The couple seemed worried when Mrs Moule revealed that her mother lived on their caravan park.

Cross-examined by Christopher Hotten QC, Mrs Moule agreed that the couple seemed to have a "jokey" relationship.

Lorraine Kimberley, who lived near Whitcombe on the Four Acres site, said he was often visited by a woman she thought was his girlfriend.

Gill Woodhall, who worked at Asda in Brierley Hill where Southall was employed for four years, said she once brought along a man call Mick and she looked at him "lovingly."

Wendy Poole, site manager of Bank Farm Holiday Park, Arley, near Bewdley, said Whitcombe had booked a chalet for January, 2008, and Southall had paid the £200 deposit. She visited a lot but witness was unable to say if she stayed overnight.

Reginald Southall worked for Boswell Steels in Halesowen and his wife had also worked there as a cleaner. Workmate David Jones said that Reginald always described Whitcombe as a good friend.

The trial continues.