Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

A blood-spatter expert in the trial of two brothers accused of battering an 85-year-old man to death and dumping his body near Worksop says blood found on their shoes is 'strong proof' of their involvement.

Matthew and Luke Roe deny murdering Henry Thwaites, on July 23 last year, and hiding his body under a metal fence by the Welbeck Estate where it was found by a passing motorist the next morning.

Nottingham Crown Court heard the brothers later travelled to Abby Dixon's address in Watson Road, where it is alleged she helped them dispose of clothes in a garden incinerator.

The 27-year-old, described in court as being in a relationship with Luke Roe, denies two counts of assisting an offender.

Lime Tree Avenue, where Mr Thwaites' body was discovered.

The expert, who belongs to the International Association of Blood Pattern Analysts, said DNA tests proved there was a ‘one in a billion’ chance that traces of blood found on the brothers’ trainers did not belong to Mr Thwaite.

He said there was ‘extremely strong support for the view’ both brothers were involved in the attack, rather than one or the other of them remained inside the vehicle during the assault.

Cross-examining him on Tuesday, barrister Adrian Langdale said: “One explanation is that the person was involved with an assault, but it's also consistent with a number of alternative scenarios.”

“They are not equally likely,” the expert said. "I use my experience and expertise to estimate how likely they are.”

He said at least two scientists independently evaluated the evidence and he conducted numerous experiements.

“We kick, we punch, we hit items to look at a whole host of ways in which blood can be transferred,” he explained.

The jury previously heard evidence from a pathologist who said Mr Thwaites was rendered unconscious very quickly, but his death was not instantaneous.

Mr Thwaites had extensive injuries to his head and face, fractures to his cheekbones and skull caused by repeated blows to the head - some of which were severely forceful - which led to traumatic brain injuries.

Luke Roe, 34, of Potter Street, Worksop, and Matthew Roe, 25, of Franklin Road, Jacksdale, deny murder – and four charges of fraud, after they were alleged to have tried to use his bank card after death.

The trial continues.

Worksop murder trial brothers had 85-year-old victim’s blood on their trainers