No DNA clue found when widow died, court told

No DNA from "anyone else" was detected when nail clippings taken from the body an 86-year-old widow were first examined, a forensic scientist has told jurors at a murder trial.

Una Crown was found dead in her bungalow in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, on 13 January 2013, a trial at Cambridge Crown Court has heard.

Forensic scientist Stephen Harrington told jurors on Tuesday that tests on fingernail clippings taken from her body in 2013 revealed only her DNA.

David Newton, 70, who lived near Mrs Crown and denies murder, was charged in 2024 after new DNA evidence emerged.

Mrs Crown's body was found in the hallway of her home in Magazine Lane on 13 January 2013, jurors heard.

Police and firefighters also found evidence that fires had been started.

Prosecutors allege Mr Newton, of Magazine Close, Wisbech, started them after murdering Mrs Crown.

An acting police sergeant who initially investigated believed Mrs Crown had died accidentally, jurors have heard.

But a post-mortem examination two days later showed she had been stabbed and her throat cut.

Mr Harrington was the "supervising" forensic scientist in Mrs Crown's case in 2013, jurors heard.

He said fingernail clippings, some of which were blood-stained, taken from Mrs Crown's body were tested in a bid to trace her killer.

But he said only Mrs Crown's DNA was found on them.

"There was no indication of DNA from anyone else in the samples I tested using the technique I used," Mr Harrington told jurors.

A second forensic scientist told how she was given the same clippings in late 2022.

Rachel Pollard told jurors how, during 2023, she carried out a test not available in 2013 - and found a match.

Miss Pollard said the test she carried out was "more powerful" and a "bit more sensitive".

The later test showed "very strong support" for a DNA match to Mr Newton, Miss Pollard told jurors.

Jurors were shown a photograph, taken by investigators, of Mrs Crown's body lying on a red carpet in the hallway of her home.

One of her slippers and a walking stick could be seen lying nearby.

A pair of glasses had also been found nearby, jurors heard.

Mr Harrington said an an "upper garment" worn by Mrs Crown was "soaked with blood".

He told the trial: "It was most likely that the assault occurred in the hallway where she was discovered - or very close to it."

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