A man accused of murdering his wife allegedly broke into their family home days after she changed the locks upon discovering his infidelity, the Brisbane Supreme Court has been told.

Robert Crawford, 49, a former RAAF pilot, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his wife, Frances Crawford. Her body was discovered on July 30, 2024, near a ride-on mower below a retaining wall on the couple's property near Toowoomba.

The jury heard an 11-minute triple-zero call made by Mrs. Crawford on the morning of July 20, 2023, more than a year before her death. Body-worn camera footage shown to the court depicted Senior Sergeant Glen Thomas during a lengthy argument with Robert Crawford after police responded to the home.

During the altercation, Mr. Crawford insisted it was his house and questioned why he had to leave. Police were later seen speaking with Mrs. Crawford, accompanied by two of the couple's three children. She expressed fear for her safety and told officers that her husband did not understand the full scope of domestic violence.

"He believes abuse is hitting, but he believes that's the only platform of abuse," she stated. "I should have got out long ago."

Sergeant Glen Thomas had attended the Crawford residence in 2023 following a reported break-in. The court saw footage of police assisting Mr. Crawford as he packed a suitcase.

The couple had separated after Mrs. Crawford contracted chlamydia from her husband and confronted him about his extramarital affairs, the court was informed. Text messages presented to the jury showed Mr. Crawford appealing to his wife's religious beliefs in an attempt to reconcile.

"Churches are full of sinners and I know I am one of them," one message read. "But so are you."

Jurors heard that Frances Crawford was in a panic after her husband allegedly broke into the family home in 2023. The couple later attempted a trial reconciliation that was unsuccessful.

Ten months after this attempt, and days after returning from an interstate trip, Mrs. Crawford was found dead. The Crown alleges she was already dead, dying, or unconscious when the mower toppled from the wall, and that Mr. Crawford staged the scene to appear as a tragic accident. He is also accused of falsifying text messages with his wife on the night of her death to conceal his actions.

The court heard evidence from Antonia Guterres, an RAAF colleague with whom Mr. Crawford allegedly had an affair. Ms. Guterres testified that Mr. Crawford described his wife as emotionally unstable, suffering from bipolar disorder, and "off her meds." She also stated that he claimed his wife had brainwashed their children.

Tamara Davis, Frances Crawford's sister, testified about a conversation she had with her sister six days before her death. Ms. Davis told the jury that Mrs. Crawford indicated the marriage was in disrepair and that she wished her husband would die in a car accident so she would not have to make the decision to leave him.

Peter Wuttke, another RAAF colleague, told the court about a conversation he had with Robert Crawford on the night of Mrs. Crawford's death. Mr. Wuttke testified that Mr. Crawford had mentioned an argument about the ride-on mower, which had been left outside. Mr. Wuttke agreed with Mr. Crawford's barrister that Mr. Crawford had stated he believed his wife had attempted to move the mower inside "to prove a point."

The trial is scheduled to continue.

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