Bloody footprint link to murders

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Footprints found where a woman and her children were murdered matched marks taken at the home of the man accused of killing them, a court has heard.

The shoe impressions found at the house in Thelwall Avenue, Fallowfield, Manchester, replicated marks taken from the Birmingham home of Pierre Williams.

Mr Williams denies murdering Beverley Samuels, 36, her daughter Kesha Wizzart, 18, and son Fred Wizzart, 13.

The 33-year-old also denies sexually assaulting Mrs Samuels and Kesha.

The family were bludgeoned to death with a 2lb hammer in July last year, Manchester Crown Court.

'Strong evidence'

Forensic scientist Paul Ryder told the court a footprint in wet blood between the body of Fred Wizzart and a set of drawers matched another impression taken at the defendant's home in Selly Oak, Birmingham.

The tread pattern, the amount of wear and even some damage to the shoes which had left the marks were the same on both impressions, he said

Pierre Williams was arrested by police in Birmingham

"In my opinion, there's extremely strong evidence to support the view that the markings at both those addresses have been made by the same pair of shoes," said Mr Ryder.

The jury was told that the impressions came from a Timberland Foot Trekker shoe, a box for which was found in the defendant's wardrobe.

The shoes which made the impressions have never been found.

David Lederman, defending, told the court there was "no dispute" that Mr Williams, a former boyfriend of Mrs Samuels, had been wearing the Timberland shoes when he had visited the house a few days before the killings.

Another forensic scientist told the court that Fred Wizzart's blood was found on Mr Williams' wallet when he was arrested.

The trial continues.