Kayleigh Dunning Portsmouth murder trial told woman was in bed when she was 'brutally' killed

Kayleigh Dunning, 32, died in 2019 having suffered ‘at least’ 10 blows to her head with a heavy instrument, a trial has been told.

Mark Brandford, 49, denies murdering Ms Dunning after proposing to her overnight on December 16-17.

Today at Portsmouth Crown Court forensic evidence was read by prosecutor Tom Wright to the jury.

Reading an expert’s report he said Ms Dunning was assaulted when she was ‘covered in the duvet and was assaulted multiple times while her head was on the pillows’.

He added: ‘Her assailant was on the left side of the bed for at least part of the (assault).’

It comes as jurors were shown photos of Brandford’s flat in Kingston Crescent, North End, where Ms Dunning was found dead by paramedics, having been called by the defendant.

Blood could be seen on the walls and on a gold-framed picture of both Ms Dunning and Brandford.

The flat is adorned with items carrying Betty Boop's image including rugs, photos shown today reveal.

Jurors have been told Ms Dunning liked the cartoon character.

Mr Wright also today told jurors a 60cm crowbar weighing 1.84kg was found in foliage off Mablethorpe Road in Wymering, in March 2020 – some three months after Ms Dunning’s death.

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No DNA evidence was found on the crowbar, he said.

Several knives were also found during the search of the area, the court heard.

Brandford denies a charge of revenge porn relating to sending naked images of Ms Dunning and setting up a Facebook account in her name with similar images.

(Proceeding)

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