A WHITEHAVEN man accused of murdering his partner has admitted charges of manslaughter and sexual assault.

Despite the two admissions from 50-year-old Paul Irwin, prosecutors are continuing with their efforts to convince the jury that the defendant is guilty of murdering his on-off partner Tiffany Render on March 22.

She died at the defendant's George Street flat after suffering massive internal bleeding, which Irwin said was the accidental result of sexual activity which went wrong.

At Carlisle Crown Court today, the jury watched as the defendant was formally invited to enter a plea to the allegation that he sexually assaulted Miss Render on the day she died, which he had previously denied.

The court clerk read the charge to the defendant, specifying the nature of the sexual act involved and the words that Miss Render “did not consent” and that he did not “reasonably believe” she consented.

In answer to that charge, Irwin replied: “Guilty.” The defendant entered his guilty plea to the manslaughter allegation in front of the jury yesterday.

In earlier evidence, Irwin gave an account of his relationship with Miss Render, which prosecutor Iain Simkin KC said was characterised by a repeating cycle of "violence, apologies, and reconciliation."

Irwin rejected this description of the 16-month relationship.

The prosecutor continued his cross-examination of Irwin, quizzing him about a series of text messages that he and Miss Render exchanged a week or so before she died.

She told him: “You have totally destroyed me, broke my heart into a million pieces and you still hurt me and hit me. When will you be done?”

Irwin’s reply spoke of them having some “good times” and he also said he loved her and missed her. Mr Simkin said Irwin was "pleading" to get back with Miss Render after there had been violence.

“There was no violence,” said Irwin.

Miss Render told Irwin that if he loved her he would not hurt her, throw her out of his flat, and call the police on her. “You would not hurt me again, and again and again,” wrote Miss Render.

“She’s referring to multiple occasions when you physically hurt her,” suggested Mr Simkin. Responding to that, Irwin said: “It doesn’t mean nowt.” Mr Simkin said: “You'd hurt her when you were intoxicated; you'd hurt her when you’re drunk.”

“No, I don’t said Irwin.

Later in the exchange, Miss Render sent this message: “I don’t want anyone else. I’ve been battered by every man I have ever been with and you still did the same.” Miss Render  said he needed to stop taking drugs and drinking excessively.

Irwin's response was: “Yes, I know.”

“Isn’t that a recognition by you that when you are taking alcohol and taking drugs you hurt her?” asked Mr Simkin. “No,” replied Irwin.

The prosecutor then asked Irwin about March 22, the day when Miss Render died at his flat. The defendant said he drank about four or five cans of Stella lager over three and a half hours. He denied “being obsessive” and calling Miss Render 70 times.

At his flat, said Irwin, she drank vodka and they both each had five lines of cocaine. They began sexual activity at around 10pm, he said.

Responding to the prosecutor’s comment that a pathologist the sexual activity that led to Miss Render’s injury must have involved “severe force,” Irwin said: “If he’s never done it before, how will he know. That’s what I think.”

Irwin denied lying about what he did that day.

Mr Simkin said: “This is just part of the cycle of violence, only on this occasion you have gone far further than you have previously.” Irwin said: “No.” Mr Simkin said: “The degree of the injury, the pain, makes you account absurd.”

“She wasn’t in pain,” said Irwin. “She never consented to the sort of violence you had used against her,” said Mr Simkin. “Yes, she did,” said Irwin.

The trial continues.