Richard Limb runs the Normanton Larches farm 300 yards from the Bacon's Keeper's Cottage home and appeared at Nottingham Crown Court this morning (Thursday).

He said Susan and Michael Bacon moved there around two years before the incident after Nigel took up the post of part-time gamekeeper.

Mr Limb said he and Nigel shared an interest in shooting and a room at the Bacons' home was used as a meeting place before organised shoots.

He said he thought Susan Bacon was a caring and supportive wife to Nigel.

But he claimed Nigel had had a violent falling out with his son Michael that had resulted in Michael leaving the family home.

In a police statement, Mr Limb said Michael Bacon acted like 'a scolded dog' in the presence of his father.

"I do not know whether (the violence) was physical or psychological, he did not say," said Mr Limb.

The jury also heard evidence from a police mobile phone expert who had investigated the movements of the phones of the four accused around the time of the murder.

Nigel Bacon was attacked with a knife outside Keeper's Cottage home close to Clumber Park on 26th November last year and died in hospital later that evening.

Twenty-nine-year-old Peter Jacques, of Charlesworth Street, Bolsover, allegedly carried out the attack after being recruited by Mr Bacon's widow, Susan Bacon (55), also of Keeper's Cottage, and son Michael Bacon (21), of Wordsworth Avenue, Mansfield Woodhouse.

Michael Bacon's father-in-law Sean Woodcock (42), of Mapletoft Avenue, Mansfield Woodhouse, allegedly helped Susan and Michael Bacon contact Jacques and is also accused of murder.

The trial continues.