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April Jones murder case: Blood 'on suspect's floor' | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Blood under a carpet at the home of the man accused of murdering April Jones matched the five-year-old's DNA, a jury has been told. | |
A forensics expert told Mold Crown Court the blood was taken from the floor in Mark Bridger's living room. | |
She said it was a one-in-a-billion chance the blood was from anyone else. | |
Mr Bridger, 47, of Ceinws, Powys, denies abducting and murdering April, who went missing on 1 October 2012 near her home in Machynlleth. | |
Her body has never been found. | |
The prosecution claims he murdered April in a sexually motivated attack and her blood was found at his cottage. | |
Mr Bridger told police during interviews he accidentally ran over April with his vehicle and "panicked", the jury has heard. | |
He claims he cannot remember what he did with her body because he was drunk. | He claims he cannot remember what he did with her body because he was drunk. |
The largest police operation in UK history was launched following her disappearance. | The largest police operation in UK history was launched following her disappearance. |
On Monday, the jury heard evidence from forensic expert Emma Howes who examined evidence from Mr Bridger's vehicle and his home. | On Monday, the jury heard evidence from forensic expert Emma Howes who examined evidence from Mr Bridger's vehicle and his home. |
Blood staining matching Mr Bridger was found on the living room carpet in two locations, the court was told. | |
The jury has heard how there was an appearance of a blood trail. | |
Ms Howes said: "There was a small area... that had the appearance of a trail or drips of blood." | |
Asked about possible cleaning in the property, Ms Howes said there were areas of blood on the underside of the carpet which appeared to have "soaked through". | |
She added there were "areas around the periphery of the stain... that did appear to be diluted," possibly indicating that the blood had been "wetted", she said. | |
April's blood was found in a number of locations in the property, she said, and referred to a large area of blood near the fireplace. | |
It was as if April had been lying in this area "for some period of time", she said. | |
Evidence suggested attempts had been made to remove or clean up the blood, she added. | |
On Friday, the court heard that when the defendant was arrested he told police he knew "what it's all about". | On Friday, the court heard that when the defendant was arrested he told police he knew "what it's all about". |
He was arrested at a roadside about 30 minutes after officers had searched his cottage. | He was arrested at a roadside about 30 minutes after officers had searched his cottage. |
The officer who arrested him told the jury the suspect had been "an emotional wreck". | The officer who arrested him told the jury the suspect had been "an emotional wreck". |
The defendant also denies intending to pervert the course of justice. | The defendant also denies intending to pervert the course of justice. |