BLOOD from a homeless man beaten to death in a churchyard was found on the clothes of two 15-year-old boys accused of his murder, a court heard.

Forensic scientist Karl Klaentschi told Teesside Crown Court yesterday that tests confirmed the blood belonged to George Akers.

The 59-year-old suffered 35 rib fractures during the fatal attack in the grounds of St Cuthbert’s Church, Darlington, on June 11. His body was found the next day.

The boys, who are from the Darlington area but cannot be identified because of their age, are referred to as Defendant One and Defendant Two.

Both deny murder.

Mr Klaentschi told the jury: “There was a spot of blood on the lower left leg of Defendant One’s trousers and the inside waist of Defendant Two’s trousers.”

He agreed with Graham Reeds QC, prosecuting, that the blood could have ended up on the trousers after a punch or kick to Mr Akers.

A transcript of a police interview with Defendant Two before his arrest was read out by Detective Constable Edward Robson, the officer in charge of the case.

Defendant Two said he had been walking around Darlington on the evening of June 11 with Defendant One, but had not been in St Cuthbert’s churchyard and had not seen Mr Akers.

He told police: “I know nothing about his death.

“Someone told me someone had died in the churchyard and that it had all been cordoned off. I was shocked when I found out, I did not know what had happened. Some people were saying somebody had his head hit off with a brick.”

Mr Reeds earlier told the court how Defendant Two was given the chance to provide a later statement and changed his account.

This time, he said he and Defendant One had seen George Akers on June 11 and that Defendant One had started kicking and stamping on him. He said he joined in by kicking Mr Akers twice to “assist his friend”.

A transcript of Defendant One’s police interview will be heard today.

The trial continues.