A TEENAGE model who was stabbed to death had been engaged and trying for a baby, a court heard.

Amy Barnes, aged 19, decided she had wanted a child, her boyfriend Ricardo Morrison said.

He said the pair had come to a “joint decision” and they wanted to get married.

Morrison, aged 22, from Birmingham is accused of stabbing Amy to death on November 8, last year and he gave evidence at Manchester Crown Court.

He said: “We were engaged but people did not actually know and we were trying for a baby as well. We got engaged in early July.

“There was not a ring but she knew that she was getting it for Christmas. It was Amy that wanted to have a baby and we spoke about it and came to a joint decision.”

The court heard that the couple met in late February and after six to eight weeks Morrison moved to live with Miss Barnes, aged 19, and her mother and step-father in Egerton.

When asked by Johannah Cutts, defending if he loved her, Morrison replied: “Very much so.”

The court heard that Morrison is alleged to have attacked Miss Barnes on a number of occasions prior to her death.

Morrison admitted that he did push her during an argument while Amy’s mum and step-father were on holiday last July.

Morrison told the court that he was not aware that Miss Barnes had been sleeping with other men while they were together.

Morrison denies murder.

Proceeding.