INDIA CHIPCHASE TRIAL: Injuries on 20-year-old '˜consistent with an assault', jury told

On the third day of the trial of Edward Tenniswood, aged 52, of Stanley Road, Northampton, a jury heard evidence from Dr Michael Biggs, a Home Office pathologist, who carried out the post-mortem on Ms Chipchase’s body.

Dr Biggs said he had recorded more than 30 injuries on the 20-year-old’s body, including a number in the head and neck area.

Birmingham Crown Court heard India had bruising on her forehead, cheeks, neck and jaw. She also had cuts in her mouth and on her lip.

Dr Biggs, who is a Home Office pathologist, said: “There was blunt force trauma injuries on the face and neck region with compression of the neck.

“They were a pattern of inflict injury such as an assault. They were not consistent with self-inflicted injury such as a fall.”

The pathologist said India had a blood alcohol reading of 235 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. This is three times the legal limit for driving.

The pathology report concluded that Ms Chipchase’s cause of death was “pressure to the neck”.

Tenniswood denies charges of rape and murder. The trial continues.