A Rowley Regis man accused of savagely stabbing his former partner to death in a street attack in broad daylight had severe psychological problems that lead to his morbid jealousy, a jury has been told.

David Palmer had problems functioning with the world from a young age and he still had those problems, Consultant forensic psychiatrist Jeremy Kenney-Herbert told Wolverhampton Crown Court.

He told the six man-six woman jury the problems reduced Palmer's ability to control himself - particularly if he was emotionally aroused or upset.

Palmer killed 29-year-old Kerry Smith when he stabbed her three times with a kitchen knife in Blackheath High Street after she denied him access to their 19 month old daughter Samantha.

The former welder of Mincing Lane, Rowley Regis has admitted the manslaughter of Miss Smith but he has denied her murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

The court was told Palmer had been sectioned in 2004 after another attempted suicide and over the years he had been prescribed anti-psychotic medication and anti-depressants.

He had become paranoid and aggressive in his relationships with women, said Dr. Kenney-Herbert, who stressed, "He has a severe emotional disorder."

Mr Alan Kent QC prosecuting has told the court that Palmer lay in wait for Miss Smith and he then killed her near the Malt Shovel public house.

He described Palmer as jealous and controlling and he said that he had terrorised Miss Smith who was on the receiving end of many beatings during their relationship.

A short time before she died, said Mr Kent, she wrote a letter in which she revealed her fears that one days she would die at his hands.

The trial, expected to end next week, is continuing.