[T]HE blood of a seriously injured man was found on the clothing of two alleged attackers, a jury has heard.
Neil Johnston, 43, and 30-year-old Kenny Stilgoe are on trial at Carlisle Crown Court. They deny causing Callum Marrs grievous bodily harm in Cockermouth’s Market Place during the early hours of Christmas Day, 2016.
On day two of their trial, forensic scientist Jacqueline French – an expert in blood pattern analysis – gave evidence about tests of clothing seized from Johnston and Stilgoe.
Mrs French concluded that blood with a DNA profile matching that of Mr Marrs was found on a jacket recovered from Johnston’s Lonsdale Close home at Crosby Villa; and also on a sweatshirt, tracksuit bottoms and a fleece top belonging to Stilgoe, of Firlands, Carlisle.
In Mrs French’s opinion, the nature of the blood-staining on both men’s garments was what she “might expect to see” if they “had been involved in the assault” on Mr Marrs. His injuries included a bleed on the brain and multiple facial fractures.
Jurors heard Johnston is said to claim “self-defence”. When Stilgoe was interviewed by police, an officer asked: “Did you assault anyone?” He replied: “I didn’t assault anybody, no.”
The trial continues.
