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April Jones murder case: Blood 'around suspect's home' | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Blood at several locations around 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 found on the floor in Mark Bridger's living room. | A forensics expert told Mold Crown Court the blood was found on the floor in Mark Bridger's living room. |
She said it was a one-in-a-billion chance the blood was from anyone else. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 from forensic expert Emma Howes who examined evidence from Mr Bridger's vehicle and his home. | On Monday, the jury heard from forensic expert Emma Howes who examined evidence from Mr Bridger's vehicle and his home. |
Mr Bridger's blood was also found on the living room carpet in two locations, the court was told. | Mr Bridger's blood was also 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. | 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." | 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". | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Evidence suggested attempts had been made to remove or clean up the blood, she added. |
The forensics expert said April's blood was also found on the hallway carpet, again in a pattern indicating a trail of "dripped blood". | The forensics expert said April's blood was also found on the hallway carpet, again in a pattern indicating a trail of "dripped blood". |
Three areas of blood were tested and all three matched April's, the court heard. | Three areas of blood were tested and all three matched April's, the court heard. |
Shower curtain | Shower curtain |
Ms Howes told the jury that numerous small spots of blood were found on a leather sofa in the living room. | |
There were also weak blood stains on both sides of the shower curtain in the bathroom, the bathroom walls and on the door. | |
The inside of the washing machine door also had traces of her blood. | |
The witness said that in her opinion there was evidence that both April and Mr Bridger were "fully represented". | The witness said that in her opinion there was evidence that both April and Mr Bridger were "fully represented". |
The jury was also shown a knife with "scorch marks" taken from the top of Mr Bridger's wood burner. Two other knives were found in a bread oven next to the fire. | |
No blood was detected on any of the knives. | |
The court heard an axe was also found with blood detected on the handle but no DNA profile was obtained. | |
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. |