Poisoned... By The Man I Loved

Liz Smith thought her husband was perfect. But he betrayed her in the most evil way...

- Kristina Beanland and Stephen Stewart.

Some of us have a friend who’ll be there no matter what, while others rely on family. For me, the person I could always count on was my husband, David. when I became desperately unwell, he took me to hospital and held me when I was too weak to walk. I felt so lucky to have him – and yet, it turned out my perfect man was the one making me ill…

It was February 2012 when I met David. Back then, I certainly wasn’t looking for romance – when I wasn’t running my beauty salon, I spent time with my son, Michael, then 35, and his family. But when David started chatting to me in a department store I felt drawn to him. He said he owned a factory and was visiting the area on business, and then he asked if I’d join him for coffee. I was impressed, albeit slightly surprised, by his forward approach, so I accepted.

David was charming and we had so much in common – from our love of Motown, to a passion for the great outdoors. So, before saying goodbye, we exchanged emails and began talking every day. When he called me beautiful, I couldn’t help but feel that rush of excitement you get with someone special.

It wasn’t long before David and I were a couple. While he lived in Telford – 300 miles away from my home in Ayr – we saw each other most weekends.

Life felt perfect, but then, in April 2012, when I was visiting David, I started feeling ill. The only thing I’d eaten that day was a sandwich David had made me – nothing that would make me unwell. But soon, I was doubled over in pain with terrible sickness and diarrhoea. At the time, I was so embarrassed, but David told me not to worry. He brought me water and held me until I fell asleep.

Unexplained tiredness