Murder jury hears fibre evidence

Joan Albert was found stabbed to death

A forensic scientist has told a court that fibres discovered at the home of a murdered pensioner were "indistinguishable" from those found at the defendant's house.

Joan Albert, 79, was found stabbed to death in the hallway of her home in Capel St Mary, Suffolk, on 16 December 2001.

Simon Hall, 25, from Hill House Road, Ipswich, denies her murder.

On Monday, Judith Cunnison, of the Forensic Science Service in Huntingdon, told Norwich Crown Court there was very strong evidence that the fibres originated from a similar source.

No DNA

More than 1,000 black fibres were found at the scene.

However, when questioned by defence counsel Peter Rouch QC, Mrs Cunnison said there had been no trace of Mr Hall's DNA at the scene.

The jury has already been told that Mrs Albert was stabbed in a burglary that went wrong.

The trial is expected to continue for three weeks.