BIGAMIST Pierre Legris lived with first wife Irene Smith “six days out of seven” until just a month before he allegedly murdered second wife Rui Li, a court has heard.

The 61-year-old told jurors he spent most nights in the same St Clement’s Road property as Smith despite his 2007 marriage ceremony with Ms Li.

He added that he had moved into an address in Burnham Drive with Ms Li in April 2014 because relatives from China were visiting the UK.

Pierre Legris denies murdering the Poole nurse on Friday, May 23 last year.

Her body was found in the boot of a car parked in Verwood Crescent on Friday, May 30.

Yesterday, the defendant said: “I had my own life and Rui Li wanted her own life.

“She wanted her independence and so did I.”

Questioned further by prosecutor Nigel Lickley QC, Pierre Legris said: “My life was my life”.

He said he did not have a sexual relationship with Smith, his wife of 30 years, but spent most nights in a separate bedroom in her home.

He kept some of his clothes and a passport at that address, he said.

In an interview with police after his arrest on suspicion of murder, it is alleged that Pierre Legris said Smith was aware of his relationship with Ms Li, which he now denies.

Mr Lickley said the defendant was asked: “Is Irene Smith fully aware of this relationship [with Ms Li]?”

He alleges that Pierre Legris answered: “Oh, yeah.”

It is alleged that police asked once again: “She knew you were in a relationship with Rui”, to which he replied: “Yeah.”

Yesterday the defendant said Smith knew he was in a relationship with a woman, but did not know it was Ms Li.

Pierre Legris denies murder but admits bigamy.

Irene Smith, 66, denies conspiracy to commit murder and two counts of perverting e course of justice. Their son Jonathan Legris, 27, of Spring Road, denies conspiracy to commit murder and assisting an offender.

The trial, at Winchester Crown Court, continues.