THERE is a billion-to-one chance that DNA evidence in the fingernails of a grandmother found strangled on her burning bed does not belong to the man accused of her murder.

Gemma Escott, a forensic scientist, said the analysis of the clippings taken from the right hand of Patricia Thompson revealed the DNA of Steven Hodgson.

Mrs Thompson, 85, was found dead in her bungalow, which had been set on fire, in Emma Simpson Court, Hartburn, Stockton, on September 5 last year.

Many of her personal possessions, including her wedding ring, were missing.

Mr Hodgson, 33, of no fixed address, denies murder and burgling her home that night.

On the third day of the trial at Teesside Crown Court, Miss Escott said: “The statistical chance that the DNA could be someone else’s is one in one billion.”

Miss Escott said that one explanation for the trace of Mr Hodgson’s skin was that Mrs Thompson had scratched her attacker.

Three days after the attack, Gail Hodgson was visited by her cousin, Mr Hodgson, who had two scratches near his mouth which, she said, looked just a couple of days old as they had scabbed over.

Mark Egan, Home Office pathologist, said Mrs Thompson died from manual strangulation which could have been caused by one hand or two and would have taken up to 20 seconds.

While she was alive she suffered more than 20 bruises to her body, many of which could have been caused by her being manhandled or restrained, said Mr Egan. He added that she received “massive” burns, which covered more than 80 per cent of her body.

Mr Egan told the court she died before the fire was started in her home and remnants of a fleece top were found on her corpse, but no trace of night clothes.

At about 11.45pm on the night Mrs Thompson was killed, Steven Smith and his partner Rebecca Milson were visited by Mr Hodgson, who tried to sell them jewellery including rings and a bangle.

Miss Milson said she had previously bought drugs from Mr Hodgson but was now on a rehabilitation programme.

Mr Smith said Mr Hodgson visited their flat in South Bank, Middlesbrough, a few times a week when he left items as a deposit in exchange for money.

Mr Hodgson told the couple that night he had looked up the price of gold on the internet and thought he could make £14 per gramme.

“I could not afford to pay this and I knew it was stolen property so Hodgie left with it,” Mr Smith added.

The trial continues.