THE man accused of murdering Lisa-Marie Thornton said “it’s clearly obvious” he stabbed her but he “can't remember” doing it, a court heard.

A pathologist has already told the court Ms Thornton, 36, of Berrow Road, Burnham-on-Sea, had sustained 39 knife wounds to her chest, neck and back, which caused her death on November 23 last year.

Pellow, 42, of Berrow Road, Burnham-on-Sea, is on trial for her murder at Bristol Crown Court - a charge he denies.

RELATED: MURDER TRIAL: Images of Lisa-Marie Thornton found on accused's phone, court hears

He appeared at court today (May 24) wearing a grey jumper, a multi-coloured skirt, beads around his neck, bangles on his wrists with black bobbed hair.

The defendant told the court he has always struggled with his gender identity and said he was 'attracted more towards female things' from a young age.

Pellow said he now identifies as female.

Defending, Richard Smith, called the defendant to the stand to give evidence.

The court heard Pellow said he can't remember causing harm to Ms Thornton but it is 'clearly obvious' he must have stabbed her.

Pellow denied stabbing Ms Thornton but said he 'had dreams' that he stabbed her in the back and 'pierced both of their hearts so they could die together.'

RELATED: Pathologist tells jury Lisa Marie Thornton's injuries 'were not self-inflicted'

"I didn't inflict any injury on her but it is clearly obvious I did, there is a wound on her back," Pellow said.

"I can't remember making that wound at all.

"I didn't kill her, I didn't harm her. I tried to save her."

When prosecution barrister, Edward Burgess, questioned Pellow about the wounds, he denied stabbing Ms Thornton and said he had 'never' been violent to her.

The court heard Mr Smith ask Pellow why he took 37 still images and one video clip of Ms Thornton after she died and he said: "Because I love her. I wanted to remember her."

In an opening statement from prosecuting barrister, Edward Burgess, on Monday (May 21), the court heard Pellow and Ms Thornton had a 'volatile' relationship since it started in 2015 and had a son in 2016, who was later adopted.

Today Pellow told the court that Ms Thornton struggled with drug addiction and said she emotionally and physically abused him throughout their relationship.

RELATED: Owen Pellow tells court Lisa-Marie Thornton from Burnham-on-Sea 'done herself in'

He said: "She was living very much a hidden life. She was secretly using cocaine on a regular basis, not as a recreational drug.

"She was using it to excessively to the point where I felt like I was in a relationship with two people. There was a change in her character when she was using it."

During Pellow and Ms Thornton's relationship police were called a number of times to Pellow's property between following reports of harassment and physical violence.

Pellow told the court that Ms Thornton frequently spoke about ending her life on a number of occasions and said she struggled after their son was taken into emergency care in December 2016.

The defendant said he had witnessed Ms Thornton making attempts on her life and said he had stopped her from causing herself harm by talking to her.

He said Ms Thornton had threatened to kill herself if he ever rang the emergency services for help.

"She said she would f**k herself up so badly that no one would be able to save her if I called for help," Mr Pellow said.

"I couldn't call anyone for help."

The court heard Pellow called Ms Thornton a 'c***ing w****' in text messages after they broke up in January 2017. Pellow claimed all the problems in their relationship were Ms Thornton's fault.

"She was extremely good at manipulating people, she had been doing it all her life," Pellow said.

"The messages were just nonsense, I got the quotes from a TV show."

The trial continues.