Jury hears of blood traces found in Antonietta's home (From Wiltshire Times)

Jury hears of blood traces found in Antonietta's home

2:39pm Wednesday 23rd September 2009

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The jury in the Antonietta Guarino murder trial today heard how blood spatters found in the kitchen of her home were consistent with someone being struck more than once.

Rebecca Mayfield, a forensic scientist who examined items from Mrs Guarino's home in Osborne Road, Trowbridge, said the blood found in the kitchen matched Mrs Guarino's DNA.

She also said that drops of blood matching the DNA of David Carr-Burstow, 20, who is on trial after denying murdering the 61-year-old Italian-born grandmother, were found in the hallway and below a light switch in the lounge.

Two blood-stained pillow cases, partly burned, found underneath a bird bath in the garden matched Mrs Guarino's DNA.

Mrs Guarino's DNA was also found on the rear of side door sill of her silver Toyota Yaris, found at Shanley's scrapyard in Trowbridge and on a duvet cover and pillowcase found dumped in a pond in front of the Virgin Mobile building on the White Horse Industrial Estate.

Miss Mayfield explained that blood spatter occurred if force is applied through punching or kicking, which causes the blood to break up into small pieces, travelling through the air and landing in spots.

She said: "In my opinion, the overall distribution of blood spatter in the kitchen indicates that Antonietta Guarino...had been bleeding in this area, or an item heavily stained with her blood from her had been moved around in this area."

Miss Mayfield also concluded Mrs Guarino was bleeding while in the Toyota Yaris.

Clare Stangoe, who carried out chemical testing at Mrs Guarino's home, found blood traces in multiple locations including the kitchen, dining room and a downstairs shower room.

She said: "In my opinion the reactions indicate that blood has been wiped or cleaned from the front of the dishwasher, the draining board and worktop."

She also found diluted blood on a worktop by the patio doors, as well as carpet, skirting board and wall in the dining room, and concluded that blood traces in the downstairs shower room were caused by blood stained hands or items being washed there.

DNA belonging to Marc Riley, who admits murdering his landlady, were found on pillowcases from his first floor bedroom.

The jury also heard this morning from financial investigator Andrew Stonall, of Wiltshire Police, who examined the use of Mrs Guarino's bank cards.

He discovered that cash had not been withdrawn from the account before January 15, but regular withdrawals were made after this date. The card allowed for a maximum of £250 cash to be withdrawn per day.

Among the transactions made on Mrs Guarino's card after her death was £123.95 on a range of sex toys for a website called forafters,co.uk, including amyl nitrate liquid, commonly called Poppers, and handcuffs.

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