Gosport murder trial: Mark Oliver was 'in shock' after killing his brother Andrew says paramedic

A MAN accused of murdering his brother over a row about pillowcases was like a ‘rabbit in the headlights’ when in police custody after the incident, a court heard.
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Mark Oliver, 56, is on trial for murder at Winchester Crown Court after stabbing his brother Andrew Oliver, 53, to death at the house they shared with their 86-year-old mum Jean in Harwood Road, Bridgemary, Gosport.

The court heard that on the afternoon of February 1 Mark Oliver sank a knife into his brother on five occasions as the pair came to blows upstairs - with the fatal blow delivered close to Andrew’s left nipple.

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Police and paramedics tried to save the younger brother as Oliver was arrested by police.

Dad-of-two Andrew Oliver died at his home in Harwood Road in Gosport on February 1 2020. His brother Mark Oliver is on trial at Winchester Crown Court for his murder, which he denies. Picture: Hampshire policeDad-of-two Andrew Oliver died at his home in Harwood Road in Gosport on February 1 2020. His brother Mark Oliver is on trial at Winchester Crown Court for his murder, which he denies. Picture: Hampshire police
Dad-of-two Andrew Oliver died at his home in Harwood Road in Gosport on February 1 2020. His brother Mark Oliver is on trial at Winchester Crown Court for his murder, which he denies. Picture: Hampshire police

While in police custody at Portsmouth Police Station, Oliver, who is claiming self-defence, said he was ‘bitten’ by his brother during the scrap after learning of Andrew’s death.

‘He was lying on a bench and was visibly shaking and shocked, as well as being pale,’ Claire Gaire-Bridal, a forensic paramedic who assessed whether Oliver was fit to be in custody, said.

‘He had bloodstained clothing. He told me he had just killed his brother and was obviously very shaken.

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‘He advised me he had been bitten. I told him I was just examining his fitness to be in custody.’

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A video of the custody corridor was played to the court where Oliver is heard saying: ‘He bit me.’

Ms Gaire-Bridal told the court Oliver’s eyes were ‘dilating...a sign of shock’ before confirming there were two areas of bite marks on his left arm.

Lucy Lyne, a healthcare professional who assessed Oliver while he was in custody, said he had ‘bruising and swelling’ to his right shoulder blade, forehead and left arm.

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‘He was in a degree of emotional shock and was visibly shaking throughout the whole procedure,’ she said.

‘He was like a rabbit in the headlights. You don’t expect people to be chatty but he was very shut down and difficult to talk to due to the emotional shock.

‘He was quiet and introverted and vibrating the whole time.’

Joanne Needham, a nurse who examined Oliver, confirmed he had marks to his face and neck which was red with blood vessel damage.

A bloodshot area to his eye deteriorated and needed a second inspection a day later after redness had ‘spread’.

Oliver denies murder.

(Proceeding)