Marsha "killed with hammer", court hears (From Your Local Guardian)

Marsha "killed with hammer", court hears

1:24pm Monday 15th October 2007 in News By Sarah Newstead

Gap year student Marsha McDonnell died after receiving three separate heavy blows to the head, the Old Bailey heard this morning.

The court heard today how Levi Bellfield, 39, of West Drayton, who denies murdering Marsha and French student Amelie Delagrange, booked a holiday to Tenerife four days after the attack on 19-year-old Marsha.

Bellfield also denies five other charges which include two of attempted murder.

Prosecuting Brian Altman told the court Bellfield had, "a capacity for violence to women."

He said pathologist reports showed Marsha suffered from "three separate and heavy impacts with associated fractures and severe brain injury."

He added: "Marsha had been unable to use her hands and arms to protect herself. A rapid attack was likely."

The pathologist thought a lump hammer was a possible weapon.

Marsha was attacked after getting off the H22 bus in Priory Road, Hampton, on February 4, 2003, at 12.18am. She began to walk to her home in Priory Road but was found outside by neighbours in a pool of blood.

She died in Kingston Hospital the following day.

Last week the jury was shown CCTV images from inside the bus which captured what the prosecution said was a silver Vauxhall Corsa passing the bus from the other direction at the same time Marsha was standing waiting for the doors to open.

Bellfield, who arranged finance for a silver Vauxhall Corsa in November 2002, sold his car on February 11, 2003, - seven days after the attack on Marsha.

The jury of seven women and five men also heard how Bellfield booked a holiday to Tenerife on February 8, 2003, for his girlfriend Emma Mills and their two children to go on between February 14 and 21.

Mr Altman said: "The reason he gave her (Emma) for going away was that he had been doing well clamping and that the weather had been bad."

Mr Altman added that selling the car was, "an act of desperation following the murder." He added: "The other act was Levi Bellfield suddenly taking his family abroad."

The trial continues.