Gosport murder trial: Forensic expert tells jury that killer would have been 'lying on the bed' with victim

Brendan Rowan-Davies, 29, is alleged to have tortured Kelly-Anne Case, 27, in her Grange Crescent home in Gosport while naked before slicing her throat and burning her property on July 30.

Her body was discovered by firefighters around 8.15am after they battled to extinguish the blaze.

Rowan-Davies is accused of attempting to cover his tracks after leaving the house, changing his clothes twice and dumping items.

Winchester Crown Court was shown graphic images of the home's bedroom.

Forensic expert Jessica Adby, giving evidence, told the court her interpretation of the findings when questioned by prosecutor William Mousley QC.

‘In my opinion the offender was on the bed when she received her injuries,’ Ms Adby said.

‘The bed takes up most of the space in the room so the individual was likely to be on the bed when she received the injuries to her neck.

Ms Adby confirmed the evidence pointed to Ms Case ‘not being upright’ when she was attacked.

Asked whether the offender could have had blood staining, Ms Adby said: ‘With stabbings it’s not inevitable the offender is blood-stained so it is not possible to tell whether they have been blood-stained as a result of their actions.’

Blood on bed fabric ‘suggested it had been moved from upstairs to downstairs’ the expert told jurors.

There were also indications that the attacker had ‘moved through the hallway’.

Confirming whether blood staining indicated if a knife had been the weapon used, Ms Adby said: ‘It is difficult to tell what object was used without doing direct comparisons.’

Rowan-Davies, of Trinity Close, Gosport, denies murder and arson.

(Proceeding)