Fatal attack caused 'car crash' facial injuries

An attack which killed a woman caused facial injuries normally seen in high-speed road traffic collisions, a court has heard.

Home Office pathologist Brian Rodgers said 69-year-old Catherine Flynn suffered catastrophic facial injuries which indicate massive force when she was attacked at her home in Cefndy Road, Rhyl, Denbighshire, in October 2023.

Giving evidence at Caernarfon Crown Court, Dr Rodgers said Mrs Flynn, described as 4ft 10in and less than eight stone in weight, died as a result of severe and blunt head, face and neck injuries.

Dean Mears, 34, from Kinmel Bay, Conwy county, admits the manslaughter of Mrs Flynn but denies murder.

Dr Rodgers detailed fractures which were all "inter-connecting" across Mrs Flynn's face, from left to right, and neck injuries.

"The bone structure has been completely compromised," he told the jury.

"These are the types of injuries you see in high-speed road traffic collisions."

He also described how Mrs Flynn suffered asphyxiation from inhaling her own blood as she lay on her back following the attack.

He said bruising indicated that Mrs Flynn had been dragged from her bed and then attacked as she lay on the floor.

"There can really be only one explanation and that is multiple stamps," said the pathologist who, referring to evidence from a doorbell camera, said the fatal assault had taken place in 55 seconds.

The trial continues.