Kayleigh Dunning murder trial: Court told of HIV concerns before woman's death

Portsmouth Crown Court heard message and Google search history recovered by police from their phones following Ms Dunning’s death overnight on December 16-17, in 2019.

Road sweeper Brandford, 49, denies murdering his 32-year-old lover at his home in Kingston Crescent, in North End, Portsmouth.

Prosecutor Simon Jones has told jurors the defendant brutally and ferociously murdered Ms Dunning, either in an argument or in a ‘sinister’ plot.

He said this could have been Brandford seeking to take control of her by driving away friends and family by using her missing phone to send abusive messages and share intimate photos.

Google searches included sexual health testing for HIV. Jurors have previously heard Brandford feared he was losing weight and had the virus.

A message on December 16 from cleaner Ms Dunnning said: ‘Do you know the results yet? xx’

Brandford replied: ‘Couple of days x’

Brandford is accused of crushing Ms Dunning’s skull, possibly with a crowbar, overnight after he proposed, jurors heard.

She suffered ‘at least’ 10 blows to her head and a similar number to her hands and forearms, prosecutor Simon Jones said.

Aqua Cars taxi driver Stephen West was due to pick up Ms Dunning at around 5.30am on December 17.

By then Brandford had left his home and went to buy a hot chocolate in McDonald’s, Commercial Road, allegedly leaving Ms Dunning dead in a blood-soaked bed.

Giving evidence, Mr West said it was ‘very strange’ Ms Dunning was not waiting outside as she had done in the ‘dozen’ times he previously picked her up.

‘As soon as I got there I knew there was a problem,’ he said.

He said he called the office to get a new job and left Kingston Crescent.

Brandford denies murder and disclosing private sexual images of Ms Dunning.

(Proceeding)

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news online - as well as fewer adverts, access to our digital edition and mobile app.

Our trial offer starts at just £2 a month for the first two months.