Angela Wrightson's blood found on clothes of both girls accused of her murder

Forensic scientist Dr Gemma Escott told the court she carried out extensive analysis of the clothes of the accused girls following their arrests after Ms Wrightson’s murder in December 2014 at her Stephen

Street home in Hartlepool.

The younger defendant’s sweatshirt, jeans and socks all contained traces of Ms Wrightson’s blood, and although her boots had been washed following the assault there was evidence of diluted blood on them, the court heard.

The older defendant’s tracksuit bottoms, jumper, trainers and jacket also had evidence of blood, the jury was told.

Dr Escott said examination of the blood on the clothing suggested that both defendants, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had inflicted blows in the attack.

She told the jury: “The distribution of blood relating to the (older defendant) is in keeping with her delivering a blow to Angela Wrightson and her kicking and possibly stamping on her.

“It should also be noted that the spread of the impact spatter on (younger defendant) is very different to that of (older defendant).

“The findings are in keeping with both girls inflicting separate blows during the assault on Angela Wrightson.”

The younger defendant has admitted in interview that she was present at the time of the attack, but said she was not involved in physically assaulting Ms Wrightson because she was on her mobile phone.

Dr Escott disputed this, saying: “In my opinion it would not have been possible to ignore what was happening.

“(Younger defendant) would have had to move out of the way as large items were thrown or upturned and Angela Wrightson herself was moved around.

“From the detail provided in (younger defendant’s) interview it can be provided that she moved around the room, but it is not clear to me where she was.

“The distribution of the blood on the clothes of (younger defendant) are consistent with her standing and delivering a blow to Angela Wrightson.”

The trial continues.