Alleged murder victim suffered 15 slash wounds to her head, court told

Two girls, who were aged just 13 and 14 at the time, are charged with the murder of Angela Wrightson at her home in Stephen Street, Hartlepool, in December 2014.

Both girls deny the charge and a murder trial is being held at Leeds Crown Court.

The court is today hearing evidence from Home Office pathologist Dr Mark Egan who was called to Ms Wrightson’s home on Tuesday, December 8, the day her body had been discovered by her landlord.

The trial earlier heard that Ms Wrightson suffered in excess of 100 injuries after being attacked with a variety of weapons in a brutal and sustained assault.

The court heard Dr Egan carried out a post mortem examination lasting more than six hours in the wake of the 39-year-old’s death.

The catalogue of injuries the victim suffered was shown on screens in the court to jurors using computer-generated 3D mapping technology.

Dr Egan said slash wounds to Ms Wrightson’s head were “caused with sharp force” by a knife or glass.

A number of lacerations on her head had been caused by blunt force, he also said.

Nicholas Campbell QC, cross examining Dr Egan for the prosecution, said: “You will conclude there were 15 slash wounds in total.”

The court has taken a short break and Dr Egan’s evidence will continue into the afternoon.