Dog walker ‘had little chance of recovery’ after Brantham attack

A grandmother had “very little prospect of recovering from her injuries” after she was attacked while walking her dog last summer, a murder trial has heard.

Anita Rose, 57, was found seriously injured after an assault in her home village of Brantham, Suffolk, on 24 July. She died at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge four days later.

The jury at Ipswich Crown Court was told Ms Rose had suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and her injuries were like those seen in high speed motor accidents.

Roy Barclay, 56, of no fixed abode, denies murder.

The defendant’s DNA had been discovered on Ms Rose’s jacket and on the ear buds of her headphones, the court heard.

Neuropathologist Dr Kieran Allinson told the jury Ms Rose’s injuries would have caused “instant unconsciousness… with very little prospect of recovery”.

He also said they were consistent with kicking, stamping and repeated impacts to the head, which would cause the brain to “shake around violently”.

Dr Allinson added that “grade two” injuries of this kind “would not be consistent with a single punch”.

The prosecution had previously told the jury that Mr Barclay had also kept some of Ms Rose’s belongings as trophies.

Items belonging to Ms Rose were found at makeshift camps under the Orwell Bridge and in Brantham months after her death.

The court was told that a forensic scientist – Kim Edwards – found the defendant’s DNA on Ms Rose’s pink jacket and on the ear buds of her headphones.

Two very small blood stains were also found on the boots worn by Mr Barclay on 24 July but, Ms Edwards added, there was no indication this could be Ms Rose’s blood.

She added that despite what was portrayed in TV crime dramas, “very small blood stains often don’t yield a DNA profile”.

The trial continues.