A WOMAN who died after being stabbed in the heart, was always 'covered in cuts and bruises,' her twin sister told a court.

Aleksandra Lipska was found dead in the flat she shared with her husband, Daniel Lipski, in Dewstow Street, Newport, in the early hours of May 13.

The 27-year-old, who was known as Ola in her native Poland and Alex once she moved to Newport in 2007, suffered a stab wound to the chest, which punctured her lung and heart.

Lipski, 28, who now lives in The Hawthorns, Cardiff, is on trial at Cardiff Crown Court accused of her murder.

Giving evidence yesterday Mrs Lipska’s identical twin sister, Agnieska Kaczmarska said the couple married in December 2007 and had a turbulent relationship fuelled by heavy drinking.

She said: “Once I’ve seen Daniel with a black eye and Alex was always covered in cuts and bruises.”

Ms Kaczmarska said Daniel was a jealous husband and during the marriage she changed from a glamorous woman into a social recluse caring little about her appearance.

The court heard Ms Kaczmarska and her boyfriend Richard Ruck had met Mrs Lipska and her husband at the King Balti restaurant on Corporation Road, Newport, on May 12, 2008 to celebrate the twin sisters’ birthday.

After the two women drank wine they went out for a cigarette and Ms Kaczmarska told Mrs Lipska she had terminated a pregnancy.

Ms Kaczmarska said: “Alex was very upset not only because I had not told her but I know that Alex and Daniel were trying for a baby and couldn’t get pregnant.”

She said Mrs Lipska slapped her across the face and the argument continued when the two couples were back to the flat on Dewstow Street.

Ms Kaczmarska said: “I was trying to grab her arms just because she was punching me and I was trying to restrain her.”

She said she didn’t do anything to harm Alex at the flat and her boyfriend said he had had enough and they left.

Ms Kaczmarska said: “When we were leaving Alex was absolutely furious and behind Daniel she was like a possessed animal frothing from the mouth.”

Proceeding.