Stomach wound 'killed McCartney'

Robert McCartney was beaten and stabbed to death three years ago

The deputy state pathologist has been giving evidence at the trial of the man accused of murdering Robert McCartney.

Dr Alistair Bentley told the court that the 33-year old died from a stab wound to his stomach.

Giving a breakdown of other injuries, Dr Bentley said Mr McCartney's nose was broken in two places and he had a other cuts on his face and neck.

He suffered three heart attacks after being brought to hospital. Terence Davison, 51, denies the 2005 murder.

He also faces a further charge of causing an affray.

Earlier, a key prosecution witness told the trial she had not made a mistake when identifying Mr Davison.

The woman identified Mr Davison as the 'white-haired man' she saw assaulting Mr McCartney.

"I am convinced the man I picked out of the ID parade was the man I saw," she said.

During cross-examination by a defence barrister, the woman, referred to as Witness C, was questioned about the description she gave of the attacker.

When someone changes their hairstyle you still recognise them in the street Witness C

She said the attacker had "shocking grey hair" which was very thick and down to his ears. She also said the man was dressed smartly in a beige bomber jacket and beige trousers.

During Wednesday's hearing CCTV stills taken from the Royal Victoria Hospital on the night showed an image of Mr Davison - who was attending with his injured nephew - with short hair and wearing clothes different to those described by the witness.

The defence lawyer pointed out the differences in hair and clothes and asked if she could have made a mistake when she picked Mr Davison out of an identity parade when he had short, shaved hair.

Police line-up

She told the court: "I'm absolutely sure it was him. He looked the same and he walked the same. It was definitely the same man but he had his hair cut different."

The judge asked the woman if she was positive she had given a correct description of the attacker's hair and picked the man she saw attacking Mr McCartney from the identity parade.

She said that despite the man's hair being different on the night in question to the day of the police line-up, she also recognised his facial features, the shape of his face, his complexion and the way he walked.

"I can't get rid of the images of that night", she said:

"When I was sitting in the car that night I couldn't do anything to stop what was happening or help, so I tried to remember as much as I could about the person."

She added: "When someone changes their hairstyle you still recognise them in the street."

The trial continues.