A psychiatrist told a court how a man accused of murdering his partner and baby girl was thought to have been suffering from a form of bipolar in the months before the killing.

Dr Roger Palmer told jurors at Winchester Crown Court how Anthony Marsh had been referred to Woodhaven Hospital in Calmore three months before he stabbed Stephanie Bellinger, 24, and 10-month-old Lili to death.

He said Marsh had been prescribed a mood stabilising drug that had anti-depressant qualities, but during their meetings the 22-year-old never once told him of hearing voices in his head.

Dr Palmer told how he first met Marsh in November last year days after he had run away after stealing £2,000 from his employers at the happy Cheese Pub where he was assistant manager of the bar.

He described how Marsh was suffering "episodes" of behaviour and feelings of low moods and "a sense of recklessness.".

But Dr Palmer said he did not feel Marsh ever posed a danger to himself or others and that he was a man who was satisfied with his home and family life.

Marsh denies to charges of murder alleged to have taken place on the night of Thursday February 25 this year at the family home in Myrtle Avenue, Totton.

Proceeding