A WOMAN who was allegedly abducted and murdered as she made her way to work died as a result of neck injuries and immersion in water, a court has heard.
Natalie Harker's bruised and naked body was discovered in a tent belonging to her former partner which he had pitched in woodland near her North Yorkshire home.
Pathologist Dr Louise Mulcahy told Teesside Crown Court that was bruising to Miss Harker's neck and evidence that she had fresh water from a stream in her lungs.
Jurors heard how the 30-year-old also had abrasions and bruises on her body but there was no sign of significant head trauma which could have caused unconsciousness or disorientation.
Dr Mulcahy told the court how she discovered debris in the alleged victim's throat that was consistent with immersion in fresh water.
Alistair MacDonald QC asked: "If somebody simply fell in a shallow stream, even face first, what you you expect to happen?"
Dr Mulcahy answered: "They would sit up or stand up."
He then asked: "Did you find anything in your examination of Natalie Harker to account for her inability to do just that?"
Dr Mulcahy replied: 'No."
The jury heard how a post mortem examination of Miss Harker recorded the cause of death to be a combination of neck compression and immersion in water.
Under cross examination by John Elvidge QC, Dr Mulcahy accepted that the injuries recorded on Miss Harker's body could have come from a fall.
In police interview, Pearson maintained that he pulled his former lover out of the stream before giving her CPR.
Earlier, jurors heard how traces of the defendant's semen were discovered on Miss Harker but there was no way of proving whether sexual intercourse happened before or after death.
Forensic Scientist Dr Gemma Escott said clothing found inside the tent belonged to Miss Harker and there was evidence that the hood of her waterproof jacket had been ripped off 'recently'.
Miss Harker's friends and former colleagues told jurors that she was worried that her former partner was following her and she had received a number of worrying text messages.
Pearson, of Chestnut Court, Catterick Garrison, denies murder.
The prosecution in the trial is due to finish next week.
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