THE court heard Ms Buckley put on a "brave front" despite receiving threats from Mills, and would often give him the benefit of the doubt.

Mr Parker told the court how she had allowed Mills to stay in the house one night while she and Kayleigh were at hospital.

But Mills had cut electric wires in the house and allowed the dogs to mess upstairs.

Even after this, although Mills wasn't allowed to stay in the house. Ms Buckley allowed him to stay In a tent pitched outside the home. Kayleigh would sometimes sleep in there with him.

Mr Parker told the court he didn't think Ms Buckley approved of It, but that at least she would know where Kayleigh was.

The trial heard from a number of witnesses that Ms Buckley had received threats through Facebook and by text message from Mills. This Included threats to "cut her up while she slept", bum her house down, "fire her off the face of the earth" and to dig the grave of her deceased grandchild up.

Friend of Ms Buckley, Cheryl Williams told the court that Ms Buckley put on a "brave front" but the jury heard the victim had shown concern by asking the security guard at her work, Onus Addu, to let her know if Mills came into the store.

She told him that Mills had threatened to stab her. Mr Addu said he had seen Mills in the store.