'Struggle involved' in 1988 death

A pensioner beaten and throttled to death 20 years ago tried to fight off her attacker, a court has been told.

The body of Elizabeth Smyth, 66, was found in her flat in Finaghy, Belfast, in October 1988. The case was reopened three years ago.

Her former neighbour, William James Stevenson, 44, of Coast Road, Ballygally, denies murder.

The deputy state pathologist at the time told Belfast Crown Court her injuries suggested a struggle.

Dr Derek Carson said he concluded bruising on Ms Smyth's forearms and hands were consistent with "a struggle, or arms being raised in self-defence".

Ms Smyth, a retired civil servant known to her friends as Lily, had been due to attend a harvest service with her local church choir on 9 October 1988.

When she failed to show up and after several unsuccessful attempts were made to reach her by phone, two friends called at her flat where her body was discovered.

Mr Stevenson, who lived in a flat opposite Ms Smyth at the time, was arrested four days after the killing but was subsequently released without charge. He was rearrested last summer.

The prosecution has claimed Mr Stevenson is linked by his DNA to Ms Smyth and the murder scene.

The case continues.