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Trail of April Jones's blood found in Mark Bridger's living room, jury told | Trail of April Jones's blood found in Mark Bridger's living room, jury told |
(7 days later) | |
The missing schoolgirl April Jones lay with blood "draining" from her in front of a wood burning stove in Mark Bridger's home, forensic scientists have said. | The missing schoolgirl April Jones lay with blood "draining" from her in front of a wood burning stove in Mark Bridger's home, forensic scientists have said. |
A considerable amount of April's blood was found in the living room of the man accused of abducting and murdering the five-year-old girl, a jury was told. | A considerable amount of April's blood was found in the living room of the man accused of abducting and murdering the five-year-old girl, a jury was told. |
Forensic scientist Andrew Parry said there was one main "pooling" where he believed the blood had drained from at least one injury before seeping through the carpet. | Forensic scientist Andrew Parry said there was one main "pooling" where he believed the blood had drained from at least one injury before seeping through the carpet. |
He told Mold crown court, north Wales, that bloodstains were found on the underside of the carpet, suggesting a clean-up had taken place. | He told Mold crown court, north Wales, that bloodstains were found on the underside of the carpet, suggesting a clean-up had taken place. |
The prosecution claims that Bridger, 47, a former slaughterman and lifeguard, abducted April, murdered her and concealed, disposed of or destroyed her body. It alleges his motive was sexual. | The prosecution claims that Bridger, 47, a former slaughterman and lifeguard, abducted April, murdered her and concealed, disposed of or destroyed her body. It alleges his motive was sexual. |
April's blood was found in the living room, hallway and bathroom of his cottage and the prosecution has claimed that fragments found in the wood burner were from the skull of a human juvenile. | April's blood was found in the living room, hallway and bathroom of his cottage and the prosecution has claimed that fragments found in the wood burner were from the skull of a human juvenile. |
Bridger denies the charges, claiming he knocked over April in a road accident in Machynlleth, mid-Wales, on 1 October last year before panicking and driving her away. | Bridger denies the charges, claiming he knocked over April in a road accident in Machynlleth, mid-Wales, on 1 October last year before panicking and driving her away. |
He said he could not remember what happened to her body but said she was not in his Land Rover when he returned to his rented cottage, Mount Pleasant, in the nearby village of Ceinwys. | He said he could not remember what happened to her body but said she was not in his Land Rover when he returned to his rented cottage, Mount Pleasant, in the nearby village of Ceinwys. |
Forensic scientist Emma Howes told the jury there was a trail of dripping blood in the living room. "Someone or something wet with the blood of April Jones has moved across the carpet, dripping blood as they moved." | Forensic scientist Emma Howes told the jury there was a trail of dripping blood in the living room. "Someone or something wet with the blood of April Jones has moved across the carpet, dripping blood as they moved." |
She said she also examined recent cuts made to the centre of the carpet of Bridger's living room, though she could not say if these were made at the same time as the bloodstains. | She said she also examined recent cuts made to the centre of the carpet of Bridger's living room, though she could not say if these were made at the same time as the bloodstains. |
Howes also examined Bridger's Land Rover. She said she had found staining in the rear seat that suggested sexual activity but could not establish when this may have taken place and there was no evidence linking April to it. | Howes also examined Bridger's Land Rover. She said she had found staining in the rear seat that suggested sexual activity but could not establish when this may have taken place and there was no evidence linking April to it. |
She said she found no blood traces, clumps of fibre or torn fabric on the exterior of the car that could be linked to April and suggest she had been in a road accident. | She said she found no blood traces, clumps of fibre or torn fabric on the exterior of the car that could be linked to April and suggest she had been in a road accident. |
Asked about Bridger's clothing, Howes told the jury she could not eliminate the possibility that April had "contributed DNA" to a sample taken from the inside of the crotch area of his tracksuit bottoms. | Asked about Bridger's clothing, Howes told the jury she could not eliminate the possibility that April had "contributed DNA" to a sample taken from the inside of the crotch area of his tracksuit bottoms. |
The jury has heard that a number of knives were recovered from Mount Pleasant. It was shown one of them on Monday – a scorched boning knife. | The jury has heard that a number of knives were recovered from Mount Pleasant. It was shown one of them on Monday – a scorched boning knife. |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |
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