Jurors also told that former deacon was allegedly unhappy with photos ex-partner posted of herself on Facebook

A church deacon accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend had threatened to kill her two weeks before she was stabbed to death, a court heard.

Ezekiel Foster, 43, of Twybridge Way, Stonebridge, killed 24-year-old Sashana Roberts at her flat in Ivy Road, Cricklewood, on September 12 last year.

The Old Bailey heard the mother-of-three was stabbed at least 11 times and dumped in the bath.

Foster, a former deacon of the Harlesden Pentecostal Church has admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility but denies murder.

Chevelle Whyte told the court she had overheard Foster - known to friends as Glen - threatening to kill Ms Roberts at a barbeque two weeks before she died.

He said: “Although he didn’t punch her he was pulling at her and trying to get her to go away with him.

“He was too violent and my mother had to split them up and get him to go away.”

Ms Roberts, who was also known as Shanna Pepper, was a well known dancer in the dancehall reggae scene in London.

Foster’s friend Carlton White told the court he had expressed concerns to him about his partner ‘dancing in the dancehall wearing X-rated clothes’ and electrician Andrew White, said Foster, who he had employed to help with a few jobs, had been angry about a picture Ms Roberts had posted of herself on Facebook, featuring her posing in her underwear.

Garfield Paharsingh, Ms Robert’s brother-in-law, told the court Foster asked if he could stay with him and confessed he had killed Ms Roberts when they met up.

He said: “He didn’t know what happened and he’s sorry.”

Jamaican-born Foster agreed to hand himself in to the police the following morning, added Mr Paharsingh, but was arrested before he had the chance.

The trial continues.