A FORENSIC scientist told a jury how blood patterns in a pensioner's home were the result of repeated blows to the head and face.

Gillian O'Boyle took samples of blood from Colin Dunford's Middlesbrough home, including a piece of carpet which showed a footprint made by someone treading in wet blood, Newcastle Crown Court.

She said splatter patterns in the pensioner's Leven Street home showed he had been struck while laid on the floor.

Traces of the 81-year-old's blood was found on a wardrobe door in the spare bedroom and on a rug and bedding in his bedroom.

James Allen, of Lothian Road, Middlesbrough, denies murdering Mr Dunford in April this year and Julie Davison three days later.

The 36-year-old refused to come into court this morning (Thursday, November 8) on the ninth day of his trial.

Mrs O'Boyle also carried out forensic analysis of blood in the flat of Ms Davison in Church Square, Whitby.

The court heard how a cigarette butt found outside the block of flats had traces of Mr Allen's DNA on it.

Inside the flat, blood splatters found I the lounge area could be explained by blows or stamps while the 50-year-old was laid on the floor, the forensic scientist said.

Taxi driver Shamin Shaffi (CORRECT) told the jury how he befriended Mr Allen in late March this year and gave him a pair of gloves that had been left in the back of his cab.

He identified a police photograph of a glove as one of the ones he had give to the defendant despite there been discrepancies in his three statements to the police.

Defence barrister Rod Hunt asked Mr Shaffi is the police had shown a picture of a black laptop bag he told the police that the defendant regularly carried with him in Middlesbrough. Mr Shaffi replied no.

For the second day running Mr Allen refused to enter the court room to hear prosecution evidence.

The trial continues.